Business Details
27 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Early Learning in Hartest
Established in 1999, Hartest Pre School provides a nurturing environment for early years education in a purpose-built, eco-friendly facility. Our team of highly qualified professionals fosters child-led learning through play, supported by strong partnerships with Hartest Primary School. With a commitment to sustainability and individualised care, we offer flexible session options aligned with government funding schemes.Our approach prioritises small class sizes, natural learning environments, and comprehensive support for children with special educational needs. Having served families in Suffolk for over two decades, we maintain rigorous standards through regular Ofsted assessments and continuous staff development. The preschool's governance by a committee of parents ensures community-driven decision-making and transparent operations.
Services
Full Day Care
Half Day Sessions
Lunch Club Provision
Funded Childcare
SEND Support
Forest School Activities
Parent Committee Governance
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We offer purpose-built eco-friendly facilities with outdoor learning spaces
- Our staff maintain Level 3 qualifications and higher education credentials
- We provide 15/30 hour government-funded sessions for eligible children
- Our SEND-specialist team supports neurodivergent children's development
- We maintain 1:4 staff-to-child ratios for personalised attention
What people say
Best of the best staff
Perfect ethos and energy
Flourished confidence
Wonderful support for SEND
Most amazing preschool
Services
Full Day Session
Our full-day childcare spans 8:30am-4:00pm, providing structured learning activities, outdoor play, and rest periods. Qualified staff deliver continuous care while maintaining optimal child-to-adult ratios. This session includes morning and afternoon curriculum-based activities with flexible mealtime support.
Government-Funded Care
Eligible families access 15 or 30-hour weekly sessions through UK government schemes. We handle funding claims while maintaining consistent care standards. Parents receive guidance on eligibility requirements and tax-free childcare applications through official portals.
SEND Support
Tailored early years education for neurodivergent children includes individual learning plans and sensory-friendly environments. Our specialist staff collaborate with parents and external professionals to ensure comprehensive developmental support within inclusive group settings.
Forest School Activities
Daily access to natural learning environments promotes physical development and environmental awareness. Structured forest school sessions encourage risk assessment skills through supervised outdoor exploration and nature-based creative projects.
Parent Committee Governance
Parent-led governance ensures transparent operations through elected committee roles. Regular meetings address policy development, fundraising, and safeguarding standards while maintaining open communication channels with teaching staff.
People
Vicki
Early Years Practitioner
Level 3 qualified with BA Hons in Early Years, 15+ years' experience at Hartest. Specialises in child development through play-based learning. Parent of three former pupils.
Yasmin
Preschool Manager
Bachelors Degree holder with 8+ years in various roles. Manages daily operations since 2021. Focuses on creating positive learning environments and staff development.
Fallon
Childcare Practitioner
Level 3 qualified since 2017 apprenticeship completion. Background in animal care informs sensory learning approaches. Special interest in outdoor educational activities.
Victoria
SEND Specialist
Specialist in neurodivergent child support with personal parenting experience. Develops individualised learning strategies while promoting inclusive classroom environments.
Caroline Pask-Finch
Chairperson
Elected committee leader overseeing strategic governance. Coordinates fundraising initiatives and policy implementation while maintaining community engagement.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We accept children from 20 months through pre-school age, offering tailored activities for different developmental stages.
Do you offer flexible session options?
Yes, we provide morning, afternoon, lunch club, and full-day sessions with optional 15/30 hour government funding.
How do you support special educational needs?
Our SEND-specialist team creates individualised support plans while maintaining inclusive group activities and regular parent consultations.
Are meals provided?
Children bring packed lunches, with guidance provided for healthy eating choices and dietary requirements.
Can I visit before enrolling?
We encourage prospective parents to book a visit through our website or by phone to experience our facilities.
