Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Squirrels Pre-School CIO

Ofsted: Good
(Dec 2023)
·Hales Drive, CANTERBURY, CT2 7AB · Kent
Number of places
20 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Dec 2023
Local authority
Kent

About this day nursery

5 to 4 years old. The preschool operates during term-time only and is situated in a contemporary building within the St Stephen’s area of Canterbury, featuring a spacious garden.

The indoor facilities include a large playroom that caters to creative activities, dressing up, and a quiet book corner, with tables available for organised activities, snacks, and lunch. Outdoors, there's a generous covered play area with hard surfaces ideal for tricycles and chalk art, a climbing frame with slides, a playhouse, and a grassy area for energetic play.

Daily activities are designed to promote learning through play, incorporating elements like water and sand trays, and utilising the natural slope of the garden. The preschool is a registered charity, supported by a team of three trustees and seven staff members, including six qualified and experienced Early Years Practitioners who collaborate with parents to support children's development.

While most children typically start in September, there may be limited opportunities for enrolment throughout the year if spaces become available.

What it's like

Children are warmly welcomed and settle quickly. They explore activities that develop their communication, mathematical, and creative skills. Staff encourage independence and positive behaviour, ensuring children feel safe and supported.

Charity-runSpacious gardenLearning through playTerm-time only

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged at a flat rate per three-hour session for non-funded hours or additional sessions. A refundable deposit is required for bookings that are self-funded.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • A deposit is required to secure paid sessions.
  • The deposit is refunded once paid sessions are no longer needed and all outstanding fees are settled.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 09:00 – 15:00; Thursday: 09:00 – 12:00; Saturday, Sunday: Closed

Age range

2.5 to 4 years old

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Session types

3 hour sessions

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Squirrels Pre-School CIO

Last inspected 8 December 2023 · Victoria Salisbury

Overall effectiveness
Good

Actions the provider must take

  • The provider should enhance the guidance for staff to develop their confidence in supporting children's individual needs effectively, particularly for children with SEND.

What it's like to attend

Children are warmly welcomed and settle quickly. They explore activities that develop their communication, mathematical, and creative skills. Staff encourage independence and positive behaviour, ensuring children feel safe and supported.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders and managers reflect on and evaluate their provision, working to make improvements and seeking advice from the local authority.
  • Children benefit from well-qualified staff who undertake additional training to enhance their knowledge and skills.
  • Staff use funding well to enhance the environment and effectively share information with external agencies and schools.
  • Communication with parents is effective, with staff developing 'busy bags' and a lending library to support learning at home.
  • Leaders and managers have ambitious future plans, including creating a growing and planting area.

Areas to develop

  • 1enhance the guidance for staff to develop their confidence in supporting children's individual needs effectively, particularly for children with SEND.
Inspection #10302084 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

There are times when staff are less confident in knowing how to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). This means that, on occasion, the support children with SEND receive is not targeted as precisely as possible. The special educational needs coordinator spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND.

Outdoor space

Staff are vigilant about children's safety. They gently remind children how to use the climbing equipment safely outside. Children take care to manage their personal space when energetically dancing to Christmas songs with their friends.

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2023

Date: November 2019

  • December 2023Good
  • June 2023Inadequate
  • November 2019Good

Frequently asked about Squirrels Pre-School CIO

About the setting

Squirrels Pre-School CIO re-registered in 2017. The pre-school is open from 9am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9am to midday on Thursday, during term time only. The pre-school receives funding to provide free early education for children aged two, three and four years. There are seven members of staff, of whom six hold relevant early years qualifications.

URN
EY549510
Registered person
Squirrels Pre-School CIO
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

Nearby day nurseries in CANTERBURY

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Squirrels Pre-School CIO.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more