Tilly's Preschool Limited
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Carshalton for children from birth to 8+, 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 September 2022. Open since 2015, with 24 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 Sutton
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Sutton 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
SM5 1SLWhat 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 September 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
An effective key-person approach supports children to establish secure relationships with staff. Strong links with parents mean that children have secure and accurate starting points. Children have vast opportunities for physical development in the soft-play area. They confidently climb, slide and slither, and encourage their friends enthusiastically. There is access to an athletics track and a field as well as their own outdoor area. Children play in a water tray filled with toy spiders and a sand tray filled with jewels to ignite their curiosity.
Communication and language is an area that is a strength of the setting. Songs and rhymes are very much a part of the curriculum. Children choose their favourite songs from a song board and sing with actions. Behaviour management is consistent, and children respond well to the setting's golden rules, which are displayed in the room. Most children behave very well throughout the session and know the routines of the nursery. Special care is taken with children who come into the setting with English as an additional language and, as a result, they achieve the best possible outcomes. Staff ask children questions which encourage them to think on their own. Children are excited and motivated to learn. A range of resources ensure that learning is differentiated for the individual needs of the children. Children's interests are at the heart of the curriculum.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- ensure that the learning of the oldest members of the group is not hindered by the youngest children.
- 29 September 2022Good
- 3 November 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Tilly's Preschool Limited
- 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.