Pickles Preschool (Southwick)
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Brighton for children from birth to 5, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2024. Open since 2022, with 36 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in West Sussex
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in West Sussex from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BN42 4REWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 7 November 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children and their families are warmly welcomed by leaders and staff as they arrive to start the day. Staff thoughtfully organise an environment that is ambitious and exciting for all children. They plan and provide a range of stimulating activities and play experiences that support children's individual learning and incorporate their interests. As such, children are quick to become immersed in activities and show motivation to learn. This supports all children to make good progress in their learning.
Staff recognise the importance of children's emotional well-being. They work hard to develop secure bonds with children. In turn, children confidently seek out staff for play, praise and support when needed. Staff are respectful of children. For instance, they ask if it is OK to wipe their noses. This helps children to feel valued.
Staff have high expectations for children's behaviour and are positive role models.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support all staff to consistently recognise opportunities that arise from children's interests and extend children's thinking skills further to enhance their learning.
- 7 November 2024Good
Still missing for Pickles Preschool (Southwick)
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.