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Clavering & Arkesden Preschool

Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2023)
·
4.7(3 parent reviews) ·Clavering And Arkesden Preschool, Stortford Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4PE · Essex
Number of places
26 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2023
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Clavering & Arkesden Preschool is situated within the grounds of Clavering Primary School in Essex, offering a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to learn through exploration and play. The preschool prioritises fostering independence, social skills, physical development, and emotional well-being by following the children's lead and immersing in the moment.

They offer a diverse range of activities, including art, cookery, Forest School sessions, and play in mud kitchens and sandpits, ensuring a rich and varied experience. The preschool provides flexible session options throughout the day, including morning, lunch, and afternoon sessions, with additional wrap-around care available for extended hours.

They accept various government funding schemes to support families with childcare costs. The team, led by Manager Michelle Draper, is dedicated to providing a supportive and engaging setting, and prospective families are invited to visit and experience the preschool firsthand.

Our ethos

Clavering & Arkesden Preschool encourages children to learn through exploration and play, prioritising independence, social skills, physical development, and emotional well-being by following the children's lead and immersing in the moment. They offer diverse activities including Forest School and play-based learning in various settings.

What it's like

Children benefit from their time at this nurturing pre-school. Staff create a warm and homely atmosphere where children feel safe and secure. The environment, both indoors and outdoors, offers engaging activities for children, who are inquisitive explore independently.

Child-led learningForest SchoolFlexible sessionsGovernment funding acceptedWrap-around care

Pricing & funding

Charges are based on an hourly rate with three daily sessions covering morning, lunch, and afternoon. Wrap-around care is available before and after the main sessions. Fees do not include snacks or hot lunches, which can be purchased separately, and a voluntary termly contribution is requested.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
  • Hourly rate£7.50 / hour
  • Morning Session£22.50 / session
  • Lunch Session£7.50 / session
  • Afternoon Session£15.00 / session
  • Wrap-around care (additional 15 mins in morning and/or afternoon)£4.50

Good to know

  • Wrap-around care is available for 15 minutes before and after the core sessions.
  • Morning snacks are available for an extra weekly fee, or parents can bring their own.
  • Hot lunches are available as an alternative to packed lunches.
  • A voluntary contribution is requested once per term.
  • Government funding is available for eligible two, three, and four-year-olds.

Key facts

Session types

Morning Session (9:00-12:00), Lunch Session (12:00-13:00), Afternoon Session (13:00-15:00), Extended 15-minute morning session, Extended 15-minute afternoon session

Food

Morning snack is offered for £2 per week or children can bring their own healthy snack (no nuts). Hot lunches are offered as an alternative to packed lunches (no nuts).

Opening hours

8.45am-3.15pm with additional wrap-around care.

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Staff

4

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Clavering & Arkesden Preschool

Last inspected 7 February 2023 · Rachael Small

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children benefit from their time at this nurturing pre-school. Staff create a warm and homely atmosphere where children feel safe and secure. The environment, both indoors and outdoors, offers engaging activities for children, who are inquisitive explore independently.

Inspector highlights

  • The curriculum is broad and balanced, and children make good progress in all areas of learning.
  • The newly appointed manager is ambitious, inspiring, and effectively uses the well-established team.
  • Staff are highly motivated to provide all children with the best opportunities to flourish and are keen to continue to learn.
  • Children are developing a love of literacy, singing songs, joining in nursery rhymes, and enjoying stories.
  • Children are becoming confident communicators and develop positive attitudes to healthy lifestyles.

Areas to develop

  • 1refine the organisation of routines to promote children's engagement and learning opportunities during all times of the day
  • 2expand on the links with feeder schools to ensure all children are well prepared to transition to school.
Inspection #10264653 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say that their children are very happy and settled at the pre-school.

'it's a flying car with rocket boosters!'

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff are keen to continue to learn and update their knowledge, and have recently expressed a desire to progress their understanding of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff work closely with parents and other professionals to ensure that children with SEND are well supported.

Outdoor space

The environment, both indoors and outdoors, offers engaging activities for children, who are inquisitive explore independently. Children enjoy getting ready for outdoor play and demonstrate their independence as they put on their coats and wellington boots. They make the most of being outside as they explore nature during forest school sessions, searching for sticks, stones and feathers to build bird's nests.

Parent Reviews of Clavering & Arkesden Preschool

4.7
(3)

Reviews from Google for Clavering & Arkesden Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: June 2017

  • February 2023Good
  • June 2017Outstanding

Frequently asked about Clavering & Arkesden Preschool

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