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Charlwood House Day Nursery – Pre-school in Crawley

Looking for a dependable early years setting in this part of West Sussex? This guide covers everything you need to know about Charlwood House Day Nursery, a pre-school serving area working parents. Whether you are searching for full-time nursery places, a sessional pre-school, or a local childminder, this listing provides the practical information every UK parent needs.

Choosing the right early years setting is one of the most important decisions a parent makes. Factors like Ofsted inspection grades, EYFS curriculum delivery, safeguarding policies, staff-to-child ratios, and the overall nurturing environment all impact your child’s daily experience. Here is what Charlwood House Day Nursery has to offer.

Quick Facts: Charlwood House Day Nursery in Crawley

• Setting Type: Pre-school & Playgroup
• Location: Charlwood Rd, Lowfield Heath, Crawley RH11 0QA
• Phone: +44 1293 664133
• Rating: 4.9/5 stars from 16 parent reviews
• Fees & Funding: Often highly affordable or fully covered by government-funded hours for 3- and 4-year-olds. Small consumable fees may apply.
• Website: https://thenurseryschoolcompany.co.uk/charlwood/

Childcare in England

In England, early years provision is guided by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and settings are rigorously inspected by Ofsted. The government has significantly expanded free childcare hours for working parents of children from 9 months to school age. Local tip: Always check the official Ofsted website to read the latest inspection reports and safeguarding grades for any nursery or childminder.

About Charlwood House Day Nursery

Neighbourhood nursery delivering dependable nursery provision in the Crawley community. As a sessional pre-school or playgroup offering part-time, term-time early years education, this setting appears best suited for parents who work part-time, or those seeking term-time, sessional early education for 3- and 4-year-olds.

This early years setting serves the Crawley community by providing regulated childcare and early education for local families. Local nurseries and pre-schools form a critical part of community infrastructure, enabling parents to work while their children are cared for in a safe, structured environment guided by the EYFS framework.

Why Parents Trust Charlwood House Day Nursery

• regulated early years provider
• established community presence
• local family-focused care
• structured EYFS delivery

Services and Provision

Charlwood House Day Nursery offers a range of early years services designed for early years children in the Crawley area. The following programs and features are typically available at this provision:

• Sessional care (e.g., 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM)
• Term-time only schedules
• School readiness focus
• Free 15/30 hours entitlement
• Socialization and group activities
• Strong links to local primary schools

Pre-schools are often based in village halls or community centres. Check their outdoor access and how they manage the physical space.

What Parents Are Looking For

When looking for a local day nursery, carers in Crawley most want: a gentle, play-based introduction to structured learning and peer socialization before starting primary school. Common concerns include whether the setting adequately prepares children for the transition to Reception class.

What to Look For During a Visit

• strong focus on school readiness
• evidence of phonics and early math play
• warm and inclusive atmosphere
• clear transition plans to local schools

Questions to Ask the Manager

• Which local primary schools do your children typically move on to?
• How do you support children with SEND?
• Are you registered for the 30 hours extended entitlement?

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In the UK, early childhood education is guided by the EYFS framework. This statutory document ensures that every registered early years provider delivers a consistent standard of care and education. By focusing on play-based learning, the EYFS helps young children build essential skills in literacy, maths, and understanding the world.

Parents often appreciate the EYFS requirement for ongoing formative assessment. Nursery staff create observation profiles for each child, which form the basis of parent evenings. A key statutory requirement is the age-two progress check, which brings together parents and health professionals to ensure early identification of any developmental delays.

Ofsted Inspections and Quality Standards

All regulated early years settings face periodic regulatory scrutiny. These evaluations are comprehensive, with officials examining everything from hygiene practices and risk assessments to the quality of phonics teaching. Gathering parental feedback is also a mandatory part of the inspection process.

While an ‘Outstanding’ grade is exceptional, a ‘Good’ rating verifies that a pre-school is providing a safe, enriching environment. When researching options, download the full reports to see exactly what the inspector praised and where they can improve.

Navigating UK Childcare Funding & Free Hours

UK government childcare support consists of several different schemes. All 3-4 year olds automatically qualifies for 15 hours of funded early education per week. If both parents are working and meet income criteria, this increases to 30 hours, representing a massive financial relief.

The funding landscape is changing, with funded hours being introduced for younger babies and toddlers. Coupled with, the Tax-Free Childcare account adds £2 for every £8 you pay on childcare invoices. Remember that nurseries may charge ‘consumables’ fees to cover food, trips, and specialist activities during free sessions.

Safeguarding, DBS Checks, and Ratios

Safeguarding is the absolute priority for any early years setting. When viewing a nursery, pay attention to the physical security-are doors securely locked? Are visitors required to sign in and show ID? Excellent settings operate strict no-mobile-phone policies in play rooms, ensuring complete privacy and focus.

Equally important are the statutory ratios. Settings are legally required to provide 1:3 for babies, 1:4 for toddlers, and 1:8 (or 1:13 for graduate-led rooms) for pre-schoolers. An organized setting will seamlessly manage these ratios even when practitioners are on lunch, guaranteeing children are never left unattended.

Inclusion and SEND Support

A hallmark of a great UK nursery is how well it supports SEND. The statutory role of the SENCO guarantees that children with additional needs can access the full curriculum. The SENCO is the link between the practitioners and health professionals.

Parents of children with SEND should ask specific questions about how the setting handles EHCP applications. You want a nursery that uses visual aids, Makaton, or sensory spaces and speaks passionately about helping every child reach their full potential.

Nutrition, Menus, and Natasha’s Law

Mealtimes at nursery are an important part of the EYFS, fostering independence and good eating habits. Menus in UK settings are carefully planned to meet strict health guidelines, featuring lots of fresh vegetables. On-site catering allows for maximum flexibility when accommodating specific dietary restrictions.

Allergy safety is a legal requirement in the UK. Settings require bulletproof procedures for tracking the 14 main allergens. Ask the manager how they communicate menu changes to prevent accidental allergen exposure.

Managing the Transition to Nursery

Starting at a childcare setting can be an emotional rollercoaster for both toddlers and parents. Parents should know that separation anxiety is a perfectly normal phase, particularly around 12 to 18 months. Tears at the door shows they love you, rather than a dislike of the setting.

To help children settle, UK settings implement a phased induction. Crucial to this success is the EYFS Key Person approach. A dedicated practitioner is assigned to a specific practitioner who becomes their safe haven, helping them self-soothe after you say goodbye.

Choosing the Right Setting in Crawley

Choosing the right early years provider for your child is arguably one of the most impactful decisions you will make as a UK parent. The setting you select will shape your child’s daily experience for the foreseeable future, influencing their cognitive development, social skills, emotional resilience, and even their long-term relationship with learning. This decision deserves careful research and should never be rushed, no matter how pressing the need for childcare feels.

Start by creating a shortlist of three to five registered settings within a reasonable commute from your home or workplace. Then schedule in-person tours during regular operating hours – not evenings or weekends when the setting is empty. Watch how practitioners interact with children when they think nobody is watching. Listen for warm, responsive language. Check whether the environment feels calm and organised or chaotic and reactive. Trust your instincts: if something feels off during the visit, it probably is.

The Importance of Outdoor Play

Research from the University of Cambridge and other leading institutions consistently confirms that unstructured outdoor play is among the most powerful interventions for promoting healthy child development. Children who regularly play outdoors demonstrate improved concentration, stronger immune systems, and more advanced social skills than their more sedentary peers. For UK parents evaluating nurseries, the quality of outdoor provision is a crucial factor to assess.

The best UK settings go far beyond simply having an outdoor space. They actively plan outdoor learning experiences that complement indoor activities, using nature to teach mathematics, biology and weather, storytelling and vocabulary, and creative expression. During your visit, question how they use their outdoor environment across the EYFS curriculum, and check for all-weather provision including covered areas, puddle suits, and seasonal gardening activities.

Local Resources for Crawley Parents

Beyond individual nursery tours, Crawley families have access to several resources that can help with the childcare search process. Your local Family Information Service (FIS) provides free, impartial advice on finding registered childcare, understanding government funding entitlements, and accessing local children’s centres. Organizations like Home-Start offer invaluable volunteer support for families with young children facing challenges.

Parents should also explore whether their employer offers salary sacrifice childcare voucher schemes or workplace nursery partnerships, which can provide significant tax savings. Additionally, local authority websites maintain directories of all registered early years providers, including school nurseries and childminders, making it easier to find settings that match your specific logistical and educational requirements.

Parent Reviews and Reputation

Found near major residential areas. Charlwood House Day Nursery is often considered by parents seeking term-time childcare close to local primary schools.

With a 4.9-star rating from 16 reviews, this setting has established confidence among local families. An excellent rating in the UK childcare sector reflects meaningful quality indicators.

Common Strengths Mentioned in Reviews

• Caring practitioners and nurturing environment
• Warm and welcoming atmosphere for children and families
• Excellent integration of SEND and inclusive practices

Potential Considerations

• Drop-off and pick-up times may be rushed during peak hours
• Waitlists for baby rooms can be long in high-demand UK areas
• Staff turnover can sometimes affect room consistency

Frequently Asked Questions About Charlwood House Day Nursery

Are nursery meals included in the fees?

This varies by setting. Private nurseries usually include all meals and snacks in their daily rate. However, if you are using government-funded hours, nurseries are legally permitted to charge a ‘consumable supplement’ for hot meals, as the government funding only covers the cost of education, not food.

Can I use childcare vouchers?

The old employer Childcare Voucher scheme is closed to new applicants, but if you are already enrolled, most nurseries still accept them. New parents should apply for the government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme instead, which all Ofsted-registered settings can accept.

What happens if I am late collecting my child?

Nurseries have strict operating hours due to staffing ratios and insurance. If you are late, you will typically be charged a late fee (e.g., £10 for every 15 minutes). If a child is left significantly past closing time and parents cannot be reached, the nursery must eventually contact social services.

Do children sleep outside in UK nurseries?

Some nurseries, particularly Forest Schools or those following Scandinavian models, encourage outdoor napping in specialized, heavily insulated prams. However, standard UK day nurseries provide indoor sleep rooms or quiet areas with cots and sleep mats, adhering to strict safe-sleep guidelines.

Schedule a Visit: We strongly recommend visiting Charlwood House Day Nursery in person before making your decision. Observe the rooms during regular hours, watch how practitioners interact with children, and ask questions about curriculum, meals, and fees. Call +44 1293 664133 to enquire.

Directory Information

Name: Charlwood House Day Nursery

Address: Charlwood Rd, Lowfield Heath, Crawley RH11 0QA

Phone: +44 1293 664133

Hours: Monday:7:30am-6pm, Tuesday:7:30am-6pm, Wednesday:7:30am-6pm, Thursday:7:30am-6pm, Friday:7:30am-6pm, Saturday:Closed, Sunday:Closed

Finding the Right Nursery in Crawley

Finding dependable childcare close by involves balancing practical needs like location, hours, and funding eligibility with qualitative factors like practitioner warmth, curriculum philosophy, and the overall atmosphere. Charlwood House Day Nursery is one option available to people looking for childcare in Crawley. We encourage all parents to visit multiple settings, ask detailed questions about the EYFS, and trust their instincts when making this important decision.

Final Word from Nears.me

Our goal is to connect parents with the highest quality early years options in their community. We hope this profile of Charlwood House Day Nursery in Crawley, West Sussex helps you make an informed decision about your child’s early education and care.

This directory profile is maintained by nears.me. Childcare operators wishing to claim or update their listing can visit https://nears.me. For database corrections: [email protected]

Charlwood Rd, Lowfield Heath, Crawley RH11 0QA

+44 1293 664133

Charlwood House Day Nursery is a day nursery in Crawley offering EYFS early learning and age-appropriate programs. Rated 4.9/5 from 16 reviews. Reviews, Of

Opening Times

Monday:7:30am-6pm
Tuesday:7:30am-6pm
Wednesday:7:30am-6pm
Thursday:7:30am-6pm
Friday:7:30am-6pm
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed

Charlwood House Day Nursery Rated 4.9 Stars With 16 Reviews,  To check complete Reviews you can

Check   Here