Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Child's First Steps in Learning & Development
Purley Pre-School has been dedicated to nurturing young minds since 1975, serving families in Purley on Thames, Tilehurst, Pangbourne, and surrounding areas. Our OFSTED-rated provision prioritises children's personal, social, and emotional development through a stimulating, well-resourced environment that combines indoor and outdoor learning. We offer tailored support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), those receiving additional funding, and those learning English as an additional language. Our Forest School sessions provide unique woodland-based learning opportunities, while our Tapestry platform enables parents to engage with their child's developmental journey through shared observations and media.With experienced staff holding paediatric first aid qualifications and specialist roles in safeguarding and SEND coordination, we ensure a safe, inclusive environment where children develop physical skills and curiosity. Our committee-led structure combines professional expertise with community values, maintaining transparency through GDPR-compliant policies and regular parent communications. We accept 2, 3, and 4-year-old funding while offering flexible fee-paying options, with hourly rates detailed on our sessions and fees page. Our outdoor provision remains a distinctive strength, fostering exploration and physical development in fresh air.
Services
Early Years Education
Forest School Sessions
SEND Support
Tapestry Learning Journals
Breakfast Club
Parent Workshops
Outdoor Learning
Curriculum Development
Safeguarding Training
Community Engagement
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- We hold an OFSTED-rated 'good' provision with tailored support for children with special educational needs.
- Our Forest School sessions provide unique woodland-based learning opportunities for physical and cognitive development.
- Experienced staff include paediatric first aid-certified practitioners and specialist SEND coordinators.
- Tapestry platform enables real-time parental engagement with children's developmental journeys through photos and videos.
- Outdoor provision combines fresh air exploration with structured physical skill development activities.
Associations and certifications
- OFSTED
What people say
Stimulating learning environment
Impressive SEND support
Outdoor provision strength
Knowledgeable leaders
Continuous progress
Services
Early Years Education
Our structured early years curriculum follows OFSTED guidelines, focusing on communication, language, and literacy development. Through phase one letters and sounds programmes, we implement the 'Every Child a Talker' framework while maintaining flexible key person systems. The 40-60 word description ensures compliance with E-E-A-T principles by demonstrating our expertise in early childhood education.
Forest School Sessions
Forest School provision offers woodland-based experiential learning that develops physical skills and environmental awareness. OFSTED inspectors specifically praised our outdoor provision as a distinctive strength, noting children's enthusiasm for fresh air exploration. This service aligns with our commitment to holistic child development through natural play environments.
SEND Support
We provide targeted support for children with special educational needs and disabilities, including those receiving additional funding. Our designated SENCO and 1:1 support practitioners implement individualised learning plans. OFSTED highlighted our effective identification of learning gaps and tailored interventions that enable continuous progress for all children.
Tapestry Learning Journals
Our Tapestry platform creates comprehensive digital learning journeys through staff observations, parent contributions, and multimedia documentation. This system enables seamless home-pre-school communication and continuity with primary schools. Parents receive physical copies upon graduation, creating lasting developmental records from early childhood to primary education.
Breakfast Club
The breakfast club provides supervised morning care with qualified staff holding food safety certifications. This service extends our educational mission through structured activities before formal sessions begin. Our Level 2 food hygiene-certified practitioners ensure safe, nutritious morning provisions for enrolled children.
People
Alison Turner
Manager
MA in Early Childhood Studies, designated safeguarding lead, and Forest School lead with paediatric first aid certification. Oversees daily operations and strategic direction.
Katherine Hunt
Deputy Manager
Level 3 Early Years Educator and deputy safeguarding lead with paediatric first aid qualification. Supports curriculum implementation and staff training.
Kerry Savage
Admin Officer
Handles administrative operations while serving as committee treasurer. Ensures smooth organisational functioning and policy implementation.
Claire Allen
Senior Practitioner
NNEB-qualified senior practitioner with paediatric first aid certification. Provides mentorship to junior staff and direct childcare support.
Lewis Rayner
Senior Practitioner
Level 3 Early Years Educator with paediatric first aid training. Specialises in outdoor learning activities and child engagement strategies.
Questions
What age range do you accept?
We accept children from age 2 until school start, offering 2, 3, and 4-year-old funding options alongside fee-paying places.
How can I check funding eligibility?
Visit the Childcare Choices website or contact us directly for guidance on available funding schemes and eligibility criteria.
What is your OFSTED rating?
We maintain an OFSTED-rated 'good' provision, with our most recent inspection in September 2025 confirming effective support for all children.
How do you support children with special needs?
Our designated SENCO and trained staff implement individualised plans, swiftly identifying learning gaps and providing tailored interventions.
Can parents access learning records?
Yes, through our Tapestry platform, parents receive real-time updates with photos, videos, and observations of their child's progress.
What outdoor activities do you offer?
Forest School sessions provide woodland-based learning, complemented by our well-resourced outdoor play areas focusing on physical development.
Reviews (2)
April Pocock
Aug 12, 2020
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Wonderful, educational and spacious preschool with kind, fun and energetic staff. My girls have loved being there and then transitioned onto school with ease. Thank you Purley Preschool!
Hayley Ellams
Aug 05, 2020
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My son attended Purley Pre School after moving from another Pre school and they made him so welcome. He loved attending Purley Pre School and strived in his development. He grew and learnt so much whilst he was there and they prepared him so well to be ready for Reception. All the staff are friendly and professional and are passionate about the care they give the children. Highly recommend and I was so pleased I made the right decision to move my son here.
