Business Details
43 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Early Education in Portslade
Southern Cross Pre School has been nurturing young minds in Portslade for over four decades. Our dedicated team of qualified practitioners creates a safe, inclusive environment where children aged 2-5 develop essential life skills through play and exploration. We prioritise individual growth, allocating Key Persons to support each child's unique needs while fostering independence and social confidence. Our curriculum integrates cultural awareness, outdoor learning, and community engagement through regular educational trips. As a registered charity (No: 1039124), we reinvest all profits into resources and facilities, maintaining our commitment to quality early years education.With most staff members serving the preschool for many years, we provide consistent, familiar faces that help children feel secure. Our partnerships with local organisations and specialist services ensure comprehensive support for children requiring additional assistance, while our Tapastry online system keeps families actively involved in their child's development journey.
Services
Preschool Sessions
Funded Childcare
Educational Trips
Online Learning Journal
Special Needs Support
Parent Workshops
Community Events
Flexible Hours
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We have over 40 years of experience in early childhood education
- Our qualified practitioners provide consistent, familiar care
- We offer inclusive programmes supporting diverse cultural and special needs
- Our charity status ensures reinvestment in children's resources
- We integrate outdoor learning with regular educational trips
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Exceptional professionalism
Wonderful staff
Thriving under guidance
Great start to education
Lovely community feel
Services
Preschool Sessions
Structured learning programmes for children aged 2-5. Our sessions combine play-based education with social skills development in a secure environment. Qualified practitioners deliver Ofsted-registered curricula focusing on communication, creativity, and early literacy/numeracy through engaging activities.
Funded Childcare
Government-funded places available for eligible families. We process 15-30 hour funding entitlements for 3-4-year-olds and 2-year-old funding where applicable. Our team helps parents navigate eligibility requirements and complete necessary documentation for maximum benefit.
Educational Trips
Curriculum-enhancing outings to local attractions. Children explore nature at parks, interact with elderly residents at care homes, and visit farms/museums. These trips develop social awareness, observational skills, and practical understanding of classroom topics through real-world experiences.
Online Learning Journal
Tapastry-based system for parent-teacher communication. Families receive regular updates, photos, and developmental assessments through secure online access. This platform facilitates two-way communication, allowing parents to share home experiences that inform individualised learning plans.
Special Needs Support
Tailored support for children requiring additional assistance. Our staff work with external specialists like speech therapists to implement individual education plans. We follow SEN Code of Practice guidelines while maintaining small group sizes to ensure personalised attention for children with diverse needs.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We accept children aged 2 to 5 years old across our various session options.
Do you offer funded childcare places?
Yes, we accept funded 2-year-olds, 3-4-year-olds, 30-hour funding, and tax-free childcare.
What educational trips do you organise?
We arrange visits to local parks, garden centres, nursing homes, farms, and museums to enhance learning experiences.
How do you communicate with parents?
We use the Tapastry Online Journal System for daily updates, photos, and important information sharing.
Do you support children with special needs?
Yes, we have experience supporting diverse needs and work with specialists to ensure every child thrives.
Reviews (6)
Ruth Yahiatene
Mar 29, 2020
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My son settled very quickly here and was so happy. Amazing staff, couldn't have asked for a better setting for him.
Debbie Toner
Apr 30, 2018
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Both of my children went here and they loved it. They developed friendships here which have continued all through Primary and now Secondary School.
Michelle Picknell
Dec 04, 2017
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A warm and friendly safe and secure enivironment and dedicated staff where children can learn through play and enjoy the expercience all the differant actives and the outdoor garden with so much to do .
Michelle Picknell
Dec 09, 2016
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My son loves it here and i would not send him anywhere eles its such a nice place to go children always have a really good time and Elliot always has a lot to say when he gets home .
Rachel Cattell
Dec 04, 2016
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I've had 3 children attend this preschool and I would not send them anywhere else. The school defiently feels like one big family. There is always so many things to do. I'd recommend this preschool to anyone who wants their child to thrive in a loving, educational and fun environment.
Holly Cook
Dec 04, 2016
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This was delilahs second preschool after a bad first experience somewhere else the difference was amazing!!!
