Opening hours
8.50am to 2.50pm
Playmates Pre-School in Horsham
Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2024)
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2024
Local authority
West Sussex
About this day nursery
Playmates Pre-school in Horsham provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children, focusing on their holistic development. The preschool aims to foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, ensuring each child feels loved and valued.
They offer various activities designed to promote learning and growth through play, aligning with early years foundation stage principles. The team at Playmates is dedicated to providing high-quality care and education, with a commitment to safeguarding and supporting children with special educational needs.
They encourage parental involvement and offer flexible payment arrangements to support families. The preschool is actively involved in fundraising and community initiatives to enhance the resources and experiences available to the children.
Our ethos
Playmates Pre-school aims to foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, ensuring each child feels loved and valued. They offer various activities designed to promote learning and growth through play, aligning with early years foundation stage principles. The team is dedicated to providing high-quality care and education, with a commitment to safeguarding and supporting children with special educational needs.
What it's like
Children enjoy their time at the pre-school, greeted warmly by staff who listen intently, and are keen to experience the wide range of activities. Staff support children and families to settle in very well, which supports children's emotional well-being. Children demonstrate a strong sense of independence in routines and follow staff's example of respectful behaviour, with staff having high expectations for their learning and praising their efforts.
Flexible payment optionsAccepts various funding typesNo registration fee
Pricing & funding
Fees are charged per morning or afternoon session, lasting three hours each. Funding is accepted for eligible two, three, and four-year-olds under the 15 and 30-hour schemes, and childcare vouchers are accepted. There is no registration fee.
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)
Good to know
- No registration fee is charged.
- Accepts childcare vouchers.
- Offers 15 hours universal funding for 3 to 5-year-olds.
- Offers 15 hours funding for eligible 2-year-olds.
- Offers 30 hours working families funding from 2 years of age.
Key facts
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Established
1988
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Playmates Pre-School
Last inspected 17 April 2024 · Tina Lambert
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 enjoy their time at the pre-school, greeted warmly by staff who listen intently, and are keen to experience the wide range of activities. Staff support children and families to settle in very well, which supports children's emotional well-being. Children demonstrate a strong sense of independence in routines and follow staff's example of respectful behaviour, with staff having high expectations for their learning and praising their efforts.
Inspector highlights
- Management at the pre-school is very strong with a clear commitment to enhancing the lives of those children who are at risk of falling behind or children with SEND.
- Staff's well-being is effectively supported and they feel valued and listened to.
- Staff work alongside families and outside agencies to ensure that children are given targeted support and receive the help that they need in a timely manner.
- Staff interact very well with the children, helping them to recognise and identify their emotions.
- Children's mathematical and literacy skills are supported well with endless opportunities to engage in simple mathematics and link sounds to letters.
Areas to develop
- 1support all staff to better recognise, and make more effective use of, spontaneous opportunities to extend and challenge children's learning during their chosen play
- 2review and improve the organisation of activities and routines so that children's learning is not unnecessarily interrupted.
Inspection #10335283 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), progress well from their starting points. There is a clear commitment to enhancing the lives of those children who are at risk of falling behind or children with SEND. Staff work alongside families and outside agencies to ensure that children are given targeted support, such as speech and language therapists.
Outdoor space
Staff plan the environments to support children's physical skills very well. Children competently climb and jump on apparatus and skilfully negotiate trikes around obstacles, enjoying their self-directed play in the outside environment.
Parent Reviews of Playmates Pre-School
5.0
(8)
Gemma Hobona
6 years ago
Both my children attended from age 2 until they started reception. They loved going and absolutely thrived there. The staff are fabulous; they are friendly, caring and they support things like potty training etc. I would happily recommend them to anyone.
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Nigel Edwards
6 years ago
great play group thanks to all staff that gave josh a brilliant start to school life he is now coming on leaps and bounds . a special thanks to Gemma for the 1 to 1 with him . he misses you all
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Juanita Angelson
6 years ago
Both my boys went here they loved it and didn’t want to leave. When I found out I was having another i couldn’t wait to get her in there. All the staff are friendly and approachable. Always clean and have never had a issue.
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Amy Brierley
6 years ago
Amazing pre school. My twins have been attending since they was old enough. Staff are amazing and are always there to advise you if you need it
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Matthew Brierley
6 years ago
Such a amazing preschool absolutely brilliant staff there so caring about the children that attend and also towards the parents as well my twins are currently there my 2 year will be going there and so will my youngest boy that's how much I think this preschool is worth sending your children to they all amazing there and it's not just 1 member of staff it's all of them always willing to help aswell. :)
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Playmates Pre-School. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: November 2011
- April 2024Good
- June 2018Good
- July 2015Good
- November 2011Good
Frequently asked about Playmates Pre-School
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