Playaway Preschool
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Tonbridge 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 2023. Open since 2018, with 30 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 Kent
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Kent 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
TN10 4PTWhat 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.
- 15 June 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 17 November 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff provide a caring and nurturing environment. They greet children warmly on arrival at the setting and take time to listen to what the children are eager to tell them. Staff provide a wide range of activities that captivates children's interests.
Children settle quickly and swiftly engage in their play alongside their peers. For example, they show pride in their achievements as they manipulate dough into different shapes. They are creative, attentive and show good control as they practise new skills, such as how to use scissors. This helps to develop their small hand muscles in preparation for their future writing. Children show kindness and consideration to others. They listen to the ideas of their friends as they discuss the models they are making.
Children know their routines well. They come together for group time and confidently engage in discussions. They tidy up toys before their lunch and independently put on their own coats ready for outdoor play.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- use information from assessment to precisely plan and target teaching on what children need to learn next n continue to build on children's understanding of how to manage their personal hygiene needs.
- 17 November 2023Good
- 24 November 2022Needs improvement
- 15 October 2021Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Playaway Preschool
- 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.