Hawkhurst Pre-School

About this day nursery

Hawkhurst Pre-School, established in 2010, provides childcare for children aged 2 to 4 years. Open each weekday from 9am until 3pm, this setting was rated Outstanding by Ofsted at its latest inspection on 9 February 2023.

Children are observed happily engaging with staff, demonstrating strong relationships. The curriculum is highly individualised, with staff planning experiences that build on each child's skills and prepare them for school.

This includes an extra afternoon session for older and more able children, focusing on early literacy. The pre-school has a particular strength in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with staff forming supportive links with relevant agencies and involving parents fully in the process.

Outdoor learning is a significant feature, with children enthusiastically exploring capacity and volume, digging for 'treasure' in a large sandpit, and building physical skills on a log stairway, even wading in a muddy ditch in all-weather clothes. Learning extends beyond the pre-school with activities like making bird-food cakes to share with parents, fostering a continuous learning environment.

Children are encouraged to be independent, from selecting their own fruit for snacks to pouring milk themselves and spreading butter with a knife, which also aids their fine motor skill development. The pre-school fosters a nurturing environment where children display outstanding independence and demonstrate remarkably high levels of respect and exceptional behaviour.

What it's like

Children happily run into the pre-school and launch themselves at the caring staff for a cuddle, demonstrating wonderful relationships with adults. They engage in activities like story time, writing letters, and exploring emotions through painting, which fosters their memory, fine motor skills, and emotional development.