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Hartfield Playschool

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2023)
·
4.7(7 parent reviews) ·The Old Station, Edenbridge Road, HARTFIELD, TN7 4JG · East Sussex
Number of places
49 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2023
Local authority
East Sussex

About this day nursery

Hartfield Playschool operates from the historic Old Hartfield Railway Station, offering a distinctive environment with ample outdoor space for all seasons. They welcome children aged 9 months to 5 years, providing a nurturing setting where experienced and highly trained staff encourage individual growth and development.

The playschool prioritises collaboration with parents and caregivers to establish strong foundations during a child's early years. They are committed to inclusivity, accepting children with special needs and actively seeking resources to accommodate specific requirements.

The playschool offers various sessions throughout the day, including early risers, morning, lunch club, and afternoon options, with funding available for eligible age groups. As a community-focused charity, Hartfield Playschool is supported by a parent organisation called The POOHS, who fundraise to enhance activities, excursions, and equipment for the children.

What it's like

Children flourish in this warm and welcoming environment, engaging in exciting, interest-based activities and a well-thought-out curriculum that supports and embeds their learning. They feel safe and secure, forming good bonds with attentive staff, which supports their emotional well-being.

Community PlayschoolUnique Outdoor SpaceAccepts Special NeedsCharity-run

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around hourly and session rates, with separate age bands for children aged nine months to two years, two to three years, and three years plus. Charges include additional weekly enrichment fees and half-day consumable costs. Funded hours are available for eligible three-year-olds.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • A non-refundable deposit is required upon application to secure a place prior to nine months of age.
  • Additional fees apply for food and non-food consumables per morning and/or afternoon session.
  • An enrichment fee is charged weekly.
  • Funding for three-year-olds begins the term after their third birthday.

Key facts

Opening hours

Early Risers: 8am - 9am; Morning Sessions: 9am – 11.30am; Lunch Club: 11.30am – 12.30pm; Afternoon Sessions: 12.30pm – 3pm; Extended Afternoon: 3pm - 4pm

Session types

Early Risers, Morning Session, Lunch Club, Afternoon Session, Extended Afternoon

Age range

9 months to 5 years old

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Waitlist

Waiting list now open for April 2027

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Hartfield Playschool

Last inspected 6 January 2023 · Oshra Murphy

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 flourish in this warm and welcoming environment, engaging in exciting, interest-based activities and a well-thought-out curriculum that supports and embeds their learning. They feel safe and secure, forming good bonds with attentive staff, which supports their emotional well-being.

Inspector highlights

  • Children flourish in a warm and welcoming environment.
  • Staff provide a well-thought-out curriculum that supports and embeds children's learning.
  • Children have opportunities to develop their gross motor skills in the large outdoor area and become resilient.
  • The manager and staff have high expectations and know their key children well.
  • Partnerships with parents are a strength of the setting, and parents speak highly of the playschool.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to build on their questioning skills to extend children's learning and development, allowing them enough time to process and express their thoughts
  • 2support staff to further adapt activities to ensure that all children, particularly quieter children, can fully engage and benefit from the learning opportunities.
Inspection #10264339 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak highly of the playschool.

They comment that the manager and staff are extremely supportive to both their own and their children's needs.

Parents describe the staff and manager as 'fantastic'.

They say that they are very happy with the progress their children make in their learning and development.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The manager and special educational needs coordinator work closely with families and external services to implement effective strategies to provide early intervention where required. They plan targeted support and provide individual learning activities to support children's next steps in learning.

Outdoor space

Children have opportunities to develop their gross motor skills in the large outdoor area. They become resilient as they learn to take age-appropriate risks, confidently navigating climbing apparatus while staff watch and encourage them.

Parent Reviews of Hartfield Playschool

4.7
(7)
Stef
a year ago

My son has been going to Hartfield Playschool for almost two years now and my little one just joined as they are now accepting 9-24 month children. They both absolutely love the place and they are always so enthusiastic about going. Staff are so caring and attentive when it comes to specific instructions given in regards to the child. My son’s social skills have improved so much. The setting has a lovely story, being what was the village train station, they can play on the roofed platform in all weather or in the garden. We like the activities they do, the dedicated rooms and the feeling you get just walking in. I can not recommend Hartfield playschool and their staff enough!

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Isabel Ball
a year ago

This is a wonderful nursery with kind, caring staff who gave our daughter a brilliant start! Large outdoor area and plenty of time for the children to play, learn and build their social skills. One of my favourite moments was arriving to pick up our daughter and she was carrying a baby lamb. The children had been feeding and looking after the lambs in the garden all afternoon. The children are so happy to bounce into nursery each morning!

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Lisa Murray
4 years ago

Both my children have attended this setting. They absolutely loved the place. They were both very happy and safe throughout their time here. The children and myself were amazed with the amount of outdoor space, including a large garden and outdoor equipment; a rarity these days. As a parent I was delighted by the dedication, caring and professional staff, who made me and my children feel part of the "family". They really made me and my children feel welcome and the children always included the staff when talking about their day at playschool.

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Christine Swayne
4 years ago

All my grandchildren have attended and have been extremely happy and well cared for.

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Reviews from Google for Hartfield Playschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: June 2017

  • January 2023Good
  • June 2017Good

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