Rascals Pre-School Playgroup
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Rustington 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 May 2023. Open since 1992, with 26 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
BN16 2NLWhat 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, 26 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children smile with confidence as they arrive at the pre-school. They separate from their parents happily, and are welcomed inside by attentive staff who know them well. Children feel safe and secure. They gleefully tell their friends and staff about the exciting beach trips they have been on at the weekend. Children are knowledgeable about the changing seasons. They begin to make connections between the 'sunny, warm weather' and the approaching summer months. Children engage well in conversations. They demonstrate highly positive attitudes to learning and they carefully select activities from the range of resources set up for them.
Children behave well and have a clear understanding of what is expected of them.
They are supported in building meaningful relationships and demonstrate high levels of respect for one another. Children are learning how to wait their turn and play fairly. For example, when children want the same colour superhero cape, staff support children in selecting a timer and remind them of the importance of sharing.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to make greater use of children's interests to encourage their understanding of mathematical concepts n review the implementation of healthy practices and ensure that all children have opportunities to increase their understanding of positive practices, such as oral health.
- 26 May 2023Good
- 9 November 2017Good
- 25 June 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Rascals Pre-School Playgroup
- 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.