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SKIPS Pre-School

Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2022)
·
5.0(2 parent reviews) ·The Old Guide Hut, Oldbury Lane, Sevenoaks, TN15 9DE · Kent
Number of places
28 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2022
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

SKIPS Pre-school, located in the picturesque village of Oldbury, Ightham, offers a nurturing and engaging environment for children aged 22 months to five years. The pre-school prides itself on fostering a fun, relaxed, and positive experience, encouraging children to reach their full potential.

With a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, SKIPS Pre-school provides access to its own Woodland, local parks, and farmland, promoting resilience and a connection with nature. It operates during term time, offering flexible session times from 08:45 to 15:00, Monday to Friday.

As an OFSTED-registered and Early Years Learning Alliance member, SKIPS maintains high standards of care and education, supported by a graduate-led team of qualified staff who are trained in Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding, and Food Hygiene. The curriculum is enriched with authentic resources and loose parts play, alongside additional activities like Forest School sessions, Playball, musical classes, and yoga.

The pre-school also collaborates closely with primary schools to facilitate a seamless transition for children. Hot lunches are available through Nourish Contract Catering, offering seasonal menus.

Our ethos

SKIPS Pre-school offers a fun, relaxed, and positive experience with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, fostering resilience and a connection with nature through access to its own Woodland, local parks, and farmland. The curriculum is enriched with authentic resources and loose parts play, alongside Forest School sessions, Playball, musical classes, and yoga.

What it's like

Children of all ages are happy, confident and settled at the pre-school. They are excited to join in with the motivating activities that staff carefully plan for them. Children are independent and are confident to choose their own play and complete their own tasks.

Village pre-schoolForest SchoolGraduate-ledTerm-time onlyOutdoor learning

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

08:45 and 15:00 Monday to Friday, 38 weeks per year (Term Time)

Age range

22 months to school age (under 5 years old)

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for SKIPS Pre-School

Last inspected 20 April 2022

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 of all ages are happy, confident and settled at the pre-school. They are excited to join in with the motivating activities that staff carefully plan for them. Children are independent and are confident to choose their own play and complete their own tasks.

Inspector highlights

  • Children of all ages are happy, confident and settled.
  • Children are independent and are confident to choose their own play.
  • Children enjoy learning about the natural world.
  • Children behave well and are polite.
  • All staff get to know children well and understand their individual needs and personalities.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to understand where to deploy themselves more effectively to ensure that younger children remain fully engaged in larger group activities
  • 2strengthen opportunities for children to learn about the similarities and differences of the wider community.
Inspection #10228232 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff attend specific training. For example, they have learned about autism and sensory processing disorder. This has helped them to fully understand and support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Outdoor space

Children enjoy learning about the natural world. For instance, they are eager to find bugs and are intrigued to watch the tadpoles in the pond grow into frogs. Children gain good physical skills, engaging in challenging activities such as climbing trees and swinging on rope swings.

Parent Reviews of SKIPS Pre-School

5.0
(2)
Sarah Murison
7 years ago

My children have attended SKIPS Preschool for 3 years now and we would highly recommend this wonderful provision to other local families. SKIPS is a small preschool with a caring, nurturing and fun approach to day care. My children have always looked forward to their days at SKIPS and come home full of stories and inspired by activities with their friends. Excellent staff team led by Cath, I always feel very confident leaving my children in their care. Excellent communication with home and lots of support to make transitions smooth. In the 3 years my children have attended there has been consistent staff and both boys had the same key worker to give continuity to us as a family. My boys have loved the mixture of activities; child led play, creative activities, play in the outdoor space both behind the Preschool in the garden and in Ightham School playgrounds and woods and the local playground, yoga, cooking and story time. More recently there has been a focus on increasing natural resources in the preschool and encouraging natural curiosity in play and learning. The preschool has no parking directly outside but there is ample parking in Ightham Playground on the A25 and it is a short walk up the hill. In my experience several children tend to move on to Ightham School each year so a great way to start making links and friendships with future classmates. I highly recommend this provision we have been very happy with the service we have received. We have been able to access the ‘30 free hours’ and pay with a tax free childcare account. Lots of support given by the Manager Sue to access and understand eligibility for these schemes.

Read on Google
Lef Giak
4 years ago

Great n supportive staff, lots of outdoor time, great app with photos with kids activities.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for SKIPS Pre-School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: October 2007

  • May 2022Good
  • April 2022Good
  • November 2016Good
  • October 2016Good
  • October 2012Good
  • October 2012Good
  • October 2009Requires improvement
  • October 2007Good

Frequently asked about SKIPS Pre-School

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