Saltdean Preschool
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Brighton for children from birth to 5, open 08:40 to 15:10, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2024. Open since 1994, 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 Brighton and Hove
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Brighton and Hove 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
BN2 8HAWhat 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, 21 February 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are warmly greeted by staff as they eagerly arrive to start their day. Staff offer a broad and well-balanced curriculum, that is ambitious for all children. They carefully plan an array of purposeful activities and play experiences that support children's individual learning. These are based on children's interests as well as their development. For instance, children enjoy using their imagination to make their own pancakes from play dough. Staff extend this by inviting children to work together to make real pancakes. Children delight in being able to practise flipping their home-made pancakes safely. These opportunities mean children are quick to immerse themselves into activities and sustain interest in their play. This supports children to make good progress in their learning.
Staff focus on supporting children's emotional well-being. They build close and nurturing bonds with the children who confidently seek out staff for play, reassurance, and praise. Staff are responsive to children's needs and wants. This helps children to feel safe and valued. Staff consistently model high expectations of children. In turn, children know what is expected of them and treat each other with respect and kindness. They invite each other to join their play confidently making their own games. Staff consistently support children to resolve any minor conflicts that may arise. They reinforce positive behaviour through praise and encouragement. This contributes positively towards children's well-being and the good behaviour.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to consistently recognise when children need more time to explore and develop ideas for themselves to challenge their thinking skills n enhance the curriculum to include opportunities for supporting children's understanding of online safety.
- 21 February 2024Good
- 26 April 2018Good
- 13 October 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Saltdean 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.