Business Details
37 Years
experience
Trusted Preschool Childcare in Rustington
Established in 1989, Rascals Pre School Playgroup provides high-quality childcare for children aged 2 to 4 years. Our setting is managed by a qualified Early Years teacher and a team of fully trained staff, all holding paediatric first aid and safeguarding certifications. We offer a structured yet flexible environment that prioritises play as essential for child development, with spacious indoor and outdoor areas designed to stimulate creativity and physical growth. Our Christian ethos fosters respect and inclusivity, welcoming families from all backgrounds while celebrating Christian festivals. We maintain strong partnerships with parents through regular communication, learning journals, and termly consultations.Our commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in our Ofsted registration and adherence to West Sussex County Council guidelines. Daily activities include group sessions, messy play, and tailored learning experiences that adapt to children's evolving interests. We prioritise safety through rigorous safeguarding policies and a 1:8 staff-to-child ratio for over-3s and 1:5 for under-3s. Our team undergoes regular professional development to ensure best practices in early years education.
Services
Preschool childcare
Early years education
Outdoor play activities
Parental engagement programs
Messy play sessions
Learning journal tracking
Settling-in support
Group activity sessions
Details
- Year established: 1989
Highlights and features
- We offer Ofsted-registered childcare with qualified Early Years teachers and staff
- Our 1:8 staff-to-child ratio for over-3s ensures individualised attention
- We provide daily messy play and outdoor learning in a recently refurbished garden
- Our team undergoes regular professional development in early years education
- We maintain transparent communication through learning journals and termly consultations
What people say
Wonderful teachers
Children love attending
Supportive staff
Amazing environment
Confidence growth
Services
Preschool childcare
Our Ofsted-registered childcare service provides structured learning for children aged 2-4. Qualified staff deliver age-appropriate activities combining free-flow play with guided sessions. The curriculum focuses on social, emotional, and physical development through daily group activities and outdoor exploration. Parents receive regular progress updates through learning journals and consultations.
Outdoor play activities
Children access a recently refurbished outdoor area with climbing frames, bikes, and a mud pit. Two canopies enable year-round use of the garden's hard surface, decked, and soft play zones. Outdoor play promotes physical development and sensory exploration while encouraging independence through child-led resource access.
Messy play sessions
Daily messy play includes paint, playdough, sand, water, and natural materials. These unstructured activities stimulate creativity and sensory development. Children explore textures and materials freely, developing fine motor skills and imaginative thinking in a supportive environment that embraces exploration without restriction.
Learning journal tracking
Each child has a personal learning journal documenting their development through observations and activities. Parents can review journals anytime and contribute home updates. Staff use these records to tailor activities to individual interests, ensuring continuous learning progression aligned with each child's unique development.
Settling-in support
We provide personalised settling-in periods for new children, allowing flexible adult accompaniment when needed. Staff work closely with families to create comfortable transition plans. Our approach prioritises emotional security, with staff promptly addressing any ongoing distress while maintaining consistent safeguarding practices during the adjustment period.
People
Tracey Hubbard
Manager
Qualified Early Years Teacher with a BA Hons in Professional Studies in Learning and Development. Designated Safeguarding Lead with extensive experience in early years education and staff training.
Claire Denyer
Supervisor
CACHE Level 3 qualified in Children's Care, Learning and Development. Specialises in inclusion support with responsibility for adapting activities to meet diverse needs.
Sian Welland
Senior Assistant
Level 3 Diploma holder in Childcare and Young People's Education. Experienced in delivering structured learning activities and supporting child development through play.
Beckie Roberts
Assistant
CACHE Level 3 qualified in Children's Care, Learning and Development. Focuses on creating engaging indoor play environments and supporting children's social development.
Alana Alderton
Senior Assistant
NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma holder in Childcare and Education. Specialises in outdoor learning activities and physical development support for preschool children.
Questions
What age groups do you accept?
We accept children aged 2-4 years, including eligible 2-year-olds for funded places.
Are your staff qualified?
All staff hold Level 3 childcare qualifications or higher, including paediatric first aid and safeguarding certifications.
What outdoor facilities do you have?
Our recently refurbished garden features climbing equipment, bikes, a mud pit, and covered play areas for all-weather access.
How do you track child development?
We maintain learning journals with observations, photos, and parent contributions, updated regularly by each child's key worker.
Can parents get involved?
Yes, we encourage parental participation through daily conversations, termly consultations, and home learning journal contributions.
Reviews (3)
Verity Escott
Jul 20, 2019
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My daughter has just finished an amazing 18 months with the wonderful team at Rascals. She's now off to school in September, and without the support of the team and her "fantastic" key-worker she wouldn't be where she is today. Claire has proved to be a kind, caring, thoughtful, patient and professional individual who my daughter adores. Claire and the rest of the team ensured Maisie's time at Rascals was nothing other than "the best". Feel so lucky to have found Rascals. Thank you for everything you have done. She will miss you for sure!
Kaylee Akehurst
Jun 03, 2019
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Amazing , kind, caring, compassionate, professional,and fun team. Both my daughter's who are very different have thrived with this beautiful bunch of humans . love you all !!! xx
Dora Perjesi Blair
Mar 21, 2019
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Absolutely lovely group of teachers, couldn’t be happier with the care and love they have for all the kids ☺️
