Pre Schools in Kingston upon Thames

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Pre-schools and playgroups provide early education and childcare for children from two to five years of age. Most offer daily sessions between two and a half and four hours long during term times. Some pre schools are developing their services to offer longer sessions or full time daycare. Most pre schools and playgroups in Kingston offer the free Early Education Funding (EEF).

Preschools and playgroups must be registered with OFSTED on the Early Years Register and follow the standards set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This means that parents can be confident that all services which are provided for children aged from birth to the 31 August following their fifth birthday (including childminders and schools), will be inspected against common standards in care and early education. Further information on the registration and inspection of childcare can be obtained from OFSTED’S helpline 0300 123 1231 and OFSTED’S website

We recommend that Ofsted inspection reports are viewed before choosing a childcare provider. These can be downloaded from the Ofsted website or contact the FIS to make arrangements to read the latest report. All childcare providers should have copies of their latest inspection report available to view at the premises.

Pre schools caring for children aged 0 – 5yrs will be registered on the Early Years Register. Ofsted inspectors will grade the group using the four gradings: outstanding, good, satisfactory or inadequate. Inspections will continue at least every three years unless a complaint is received which suggests that the requirements of the EYFS or any conditions of registration are not being met. If a pre school has received an inadequate grading, special arrangements and more frequent inspections will be set in place. If a pre school does not take measures to improve, their registration maybe suspended or cancelled.

Also please note that inspection outcomes will not be available for settings who have only received an inspection on registration. Ofsted will inspect these settings again once they start caring for children so that a judgment can be made when children are attending the setting. Where this is the case the box will say “Registration Inspection”.

Ofsted also grade pre school playgroups on the care they provide in relation to the Early Education Funding. Most pre schools are eligible to provide this. Under the Government's Early Education Scheme, all children are entitled to a free, early education place for 15 hours per week from the term following their third birthday.

All provision is funded until your child moves into a reception class in a state school or until the beginning of the term following your child's fifth birthday, which is when they reach statutory school age and the age when it is compulsory for your child to attend school.

Please note that the admissions policy in Kingston upon Thames enables children to start at infant or primary school in the September of the school year in which they will become five years of age.

• Do you operate a waiting list and how much do you charge? When do I pay?
• How many children per session and how many staff?
• How will I settle my child and what do I do if he/she does not want to leave me?
• What activities do the children take part in, and what is the normal routine for the day?
• What would you do if my child became ill during a session?
• How do you cope with disruptive behaviour?
• How can you help my child with special needs?
• Do you encourage parental participation?
• Have you had any complaints and how were these dealt with?
• Does the group go on outings? (How many staff/parents accompany the children)
• What are the arrangements for discussing my child’s progress?
• Do you provide records on my child’s development?
• Do you offer examples of a variety of cultural and religious beliefs and customs?