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HEDCA Preschool

Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2025)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews) ·Hardway Elson District Community Association, Coombe Road, Gosport, PO12 4JB · Hampshire
Number of places
26 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2025
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

HEDCA Preschool provides a nurturing and engaging setting for children aged 2 to 4 years, operating during term-time from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The preschool offers both full-day and half-day sessions, with specific morning hours from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and afternoon hours from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, aiming to offer flexibility for families.

Dedicated to fostering curiosity, independence, and respect, the preschool emphasises an inclusive and creative environment that supports the holistic growth of each child. The curriculum is shaped by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, focusing on key areas such as personal, social, and emotional development, communication and language, physical well-being, literacy, numeracy, understanding the world, and creative arts.

Learning is child-centred and play-based, with experienced practitioners observing and guiding children through hands-on activities. A key person system is in place to build strong relationships with children and families, ensuring consistent support and communication regarding a child's development.

The preschool fosters an inclusive atmosphere, with a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) working with families and external professionals to provide tailored support for children with additional needs. The staff team, all DBS checked and trained in Paediatric First Aid, are enthusiastic about children's development and well-being, promoting a strong partnership between home and preschool.

The settling-in process is flexible, and daily routines include a mix of structured activities, free play, outdoor exploration, and quiet time. Parents are encouraged to provide appropriate clothing for outdoor play and named water bottles.

Our ethos

HEDCA Preschool's pedagogical approach is child-centred and play-based, guided by the EYFS framework. They are committed to fostering curiosity, independence, and respect, supporting the holistic growth of each child in an inclusive and creative environment. A key person system ensures strong relationships and consistent support for children and families.

What it's like

Children are happily greeted by staff and settle quickly, eager to play. They follow rules and routines well, demonstrating independence in self-care and confidently interacting with peers. Staff act as positive role models, fostering a calm and well-behaved environment.

EYFS CurriculumPlay-based LearningFlexible SessionsKey Person SystemInclusive Environment

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged at a flat hourly rate for non-funded hours, payable in advance. A registration fee is required upon enrolment, which is refundable after the first term. Additional fees apply for late pickups, and a voluntary donation is requested for daily snacks.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Registration fee is refunded after the child completes their first term.
  • Fees must be paid in advance.
  • Absences are charged at half rate for illness or holiday if a full week's notice is given.
  • Parents must provide nappies, nappy sacks, and wipes.
  • A small charge applies for sunscreen during the summer term.
  • Voluntary donations are requested to cover snack costs like fruit, vegetables, and cereal.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 15:30 during term time. Morning sessions are 09:00-12:00. Afternoon sessions are 12:30-15:30.

Age range

2 to 4 years

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Established

2023

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for HEDCA Preschool

Last inspected 24 March 2025

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 are happily greeted by staff and settle quickly, eager to play. They follow rules and routines well, demonstrating independence in self-care and confidently interacting with peers. Staff act as positive role models, fostering a calm and well-behaved environment.

Inspector highlights

  • The curriculum is ambitious and builds upon what children know and can do, with a focus on confident learners and good communication skills.
  • Staff effectively use additional funding to meet children's individualised needs, purchasing resources based on children's interests.
  • Staff quickly assess and identify gaps in children's development, planning specific activities to address these.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported through close collaboration with families and other professionals.
  • Children develop physical skills well and spend much of their time in the garden, building on their understanding of managing risk.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen training and coaching to support staff to consistently enhance their practice with particular regard to extending older and more able children's development.
Inspection #10388358 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment that staff 'go the extra mile' for them and their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are very well supported by staff. Staff work with families as a whole, providing support as needed, and are quick to act to ensure timely and appropriate interventions for each child. They collaborate closely with other professionals and support parents in implementing strategies at home, such as using visual timetables.

Outdoor space

Children develop their physical skills well and spend much of their time out in the garden. Staff build on children's understanding of how to manage risk as they build obstacle courses and enjoy balancing along them. Staff cheer on children and share in their delight when they successfully manage to navigate the course.

Parent Reviews of HEDCA Preschool

5.0
(4)
Kerri Higman
10 months ago

We couldn’t be happier with our experience at HEDCA Pre-School. From the very beginning, every member of staff has been incredibly kind, caring, and welcoming not just to our daughter, but to us as parents too. It’s clear that the team genuinely love what they do, and that warmth really shows in the way they treat the children. Over the past year, they’ve created such a fun, safe, and playful environment where our daughter has absolutely thrived. She’s become so much more confident, imaginative, and independent. The staff have really taken the time to get to know her little personality, and they’ve gently encouraged her curiosity and creativity in the most lovely way. One of the biggest things we’ve noticed is how much she’s learned social skills like sharing and playing with others. The values they teach go beyond just school readiness they’ve helped her grow emotionally too. Every day she comes home with a story to tell or something new she’s discovered, and she’s always excited to go back. As a parent, that peace of mind is everything. We’re so grateful for the care and dedication of the whole HEDCA team they’ve made her first experience of education such a positive and happy one.

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Elizabeth Catlin
10 months ago

Brilliant nursery, staff are lovely and professional, very organised and really caring towards the children. Three out of four of my children all came here and My 14 year daughter still reambers coming and loved it ☺️

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Charlie Light
10 months ago

Can not recommend this nursery enough I've had two of my children here and both times the staff have gone above and beyond for them. Friendly staff, clean class room when the children play.

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Ashley Parkes
10 months ago

Fantastic preschool lovely staff amazing service very friendly environment 100% recommended

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for HEDCA Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

24 March 2025

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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