Westview Playgroup
Good★ 5.0 on GoogleBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Swanley for from 2 years up to school age, open 09:00 to 15:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2024. Open since 2001, with 36 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
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
BR8 8AUWhat 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, 20 May 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are eager to attend the playgroup and form positive bonds with staff, helping them to develop a strong sense of security. All children confidently explore the activities provided and, with the support of staff, learn to behave well. For example, while waiting for the playgroup session to start, children spend time exploring the well-laid-out and suitably resourced outdoor space. Staff and parents also use the opportunity to share information about children. This supports children's well-being, as it aids staff's ability to meet the unique needs of each child. All children go into the playroom confidently.
Staff have high expectations of children. Staff provide children, especially the older children, with opportunities to practise their communication skills. They use children's interests and needs to inform planning. They plan a highly engaging and ambitious curriculum. Children spend extended periods engaged in activities. For instance, children enjoy mark-making activities. They use their pens on whiteboards and on boxes, both indoors and outdoors. Staff skilfully adapt activities as needed to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities
(SEND) are able to take part. Children are also confident to seek support from staff when needed. All children make good progress.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to provide all children, especially younger children, with consistent opportunities to respond to questions which will enable children to practise their communication skills.
- 20 May 2024Good
- 21 June 2018Good
- 3 December 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Westview Playgroup
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- 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.
- Do you have a place for a child of my age now? 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.