Poppet's Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Kingston upon Thames 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 2022. Open since 2012, 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 Kingston upon Thames
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Kingston upon Thames 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
KT2 5TYWhat 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, 29 November 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children develop strong, nurturing relationships with staff at this warm and welcoming pre-school. Children arrive happy and are keen to explore the activities on offer. They have a positive attitude to learning and show high levels of enjoyment and curiosity. Staff have high expectations for all children. The curriculum provided offers challenge and stimulates the interests of all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For example, staff use activities to develop children's listening and attention, such as
'Bucket time'. Children are keen to get involved in the activities on offer and show positive attitudes to learning.
All children behave well. They learn to take turns and share the resources. Children learn to identify and manage their feelings with sensitive support from staff.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- review group activities to support children to fully engage, to enhance their learning further.
- 29 November 2022Good
- 18 January 2017Good
- 19 March 2013Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Poppet's Pre-School
- 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.