Rated Good by Ofsted

Small, independent and proudly local

As an independent pre-school in central Guildford, we pride ourselves on being at the heart of our local community. Our independence allows us to offer a personal, nurturing approach where every child is known, valued and supported as an individual. With a dedicated team of long-standing staff, we provide consistency, familiar faces and a welcoming environment. We believe that the little things make a big difference, and that a sense of belonging, genuine care and a personal touch are what makes our pre-school so special.

Welcome

Learning through play, since 2008

We are owned and managed by two local parents, Thea Arthur and Susan Raftery, who have run Child's Play together since 2008.

We take children from two years old and accept all forms of funding. We have a flexible approach to help families make the most of their funded hours. Our aim is to make high-quality early education as accessible and convenient as possible, while ensuring every child enjoys a happy, nurturing and enriching pre-school experience.

See our Admission & Fees page for details.

A mosaic made by the children, reading Welcome to our Pre-School — Made by the children, and on the wall of the hall.

Beyond the playroom

What else we offer

Sessions that run alongside an ordinary morning, taken by people who do this for a living.

Everything we offer

Opening hours

Closed

Opens Monday at 8.30am.

Term time only.

Monday: 8.30am to 2.45pm
Tuesday: 8.30am to 3.45pm
Wednesday: 8.30am to 2.45pm
Thursday: 8.30am to 3.45pm
Friday: 8.30am to 1pm
Saturday to Sunday: Closed

We accept 15 and 30 hours funding, FEET, childcare vouchers and Tax-Free Childcare.

Term time only. We follow Surrey County Council term dates.

Session times Term dates

Inspected and rated Good

Every registered early years setting in England is inspected by Ofsted, and every report is published. Ours is below, in full and unedited.

Last inspected: 20 July 2023
Overall rating: Good
Ofsted URN: EY470572

Read the full report

How a typical morning works

Free flow play indoors and out with a few fixed points to hang the day on.

8.30am to 9am Early start
8.50am to 9am Doors are open; children are registered on arrival
10am to around 10.30am snack time
10.45am story time
11am to 11.45am free play
12pm song time for children staying for lunch; home time for morning only children
12pm to 1pm lunch time

Adult led activities run throughout the morning and into the afternoon. Afternoons are more fluid and change from day to day.

Outdoors, whatever

Children love being outside so our garden is open every session; children can come and go from inside to outside as they please. We also love taking the children for local walks each week so they can explore their local environment.

Ready for school

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, and we know the local primaries well. Children leave us able to put on their own coat, which matters more than you would think.

Small and known

Every member of staff knows every child by name, and knows their grown-ups too. If something is wrong, you will hear it from us at the door, not in a newsletter.