--- title: "Squirrels Pre-School CIO — Rated Good by Ofsted" description: "Squirrels Pre-School CIO, a nursery in Canterbury — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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Daily activities also use the water tray, sand tray, and the garden slope." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the fees at Squirrels Pre-School CIO?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The fee is £21 per 3-hour session for children who are not yet eligible for funding or who attend extra sessions. A £50 deposit is taken for paid sessions and is refunded when those sessions end and any outstanding fees are cleared." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Who makes up the staff team at Squirrels Pre-School CIO?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting is run as a charity with 3 trustees and 7 staff. It also has six qualified and experienced Early Years Practitioners." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is Squirrels Pre-School CIO open?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery is open term time only. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 09:00 to 15:00, and Thursday from 09:00 to 12:00; it is closed on Saturday and Sunday." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [South East](/search?region=South+East) 4. Squirrels Pre-School CIO # Squirrels Pre-School CIO Compare Contact Nursery 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 - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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-run Spacious garden Learning through play Term-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-olds 15 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 ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Squirrels Pre-School CIO Inspection date Dec 2023 Inspection no. 10302084 Lead inspector Victoria Salisbury [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50237814)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY549510) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Reveal phone number [ Visit website ](https://squirrelspreschoolcanterbury.co.uk/) Hales Drive, CANTERBURY, CT2 7AB Opening hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 09:00 – 15:00; Thursday: 09:00 – 12:00; Saturday, Sunday: Closed [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/1.07863/51.29158/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near CANTERBURY - [Day nurseries in CANTERBURY](/search?q=CANTERBURY) - [Day nurseries in South East](/search?q=South+East) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=squirrels-pre-school-cio-ct2-7ab-ey549510) 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 - 1 enhance the guidance for staff to develop their confidence in supporting children's individual needs effectively, particularly for children with SEND. Inspection #10302084 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50237814) 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 2023 Good - June 2023 Inadequate - November 2019 Good ## Frequently asked about Squirrels Pre-School CIO ### Does Squirrels Pre-School CIO take babies? ### How did Squirrels Pre-School CIO do at its last Ofsted inspection? ### Which funded hours does Squirrels Pre-School CIO accept? ### What outdoor space does Squirrels Pre-School CIO have? ### What are the fees at Squirrels Pre-School CIO? ### Who makes up the staff team at Squirrels Pre-School CIO? ### When is Squirrels Pre-School CIO open? ## 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. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Busy Bees Day Nursery at Canterbury Canterbury · CT2 7PH 4.7(14 reviews) ](/nursery/busy-bees-day-nursery-at-canterbury-ct2-7ph-ey333589) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.6 mi ### The Oaks Nursery Canterbury · CT2 7FL ](/nursery/the-oaks-nursery-ct2-7fl-2592876) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.8 mi ### Canterbury Day Nursery, Holiday Playscheme and ASC Canterbury · CT1 1NP 4.2(5 reviews) ](/nursery/canterbury-day-nursery-holiday-playscheme-and-asc-ct1-1np-127078) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.9 mi ### Bovan Creek Canterbury · CT1 1NG ](/nursery/bovan-creek-ct1-1ng-2725661) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.1 mi ### Choochoos Day Nursery Canterbury · CT2 8NE 5.0(6 reviews) ](/nursery/choochoos-day-nursery-ct2-8ne-2629640) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.2 mi ### The Nursery At Canterbury College Canterbury · CT1 3AJ ](/nursery/the-nursery-at-canterbury-college-ct1-3aj-2503414) [See all nurseries in CANTERBURY →](/search?q=CANTERBURY) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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