SKIPS Pre-School is a small independent rural setting. We are situated in the heart of stunning countryside in Oldbury, Ightham between Sevenoaks, and Borough Green in Kent. The Pre-School is adjacent Ightham Primary School with safe free parking and access via the Recreation Ground path at the rear of the premises. We are Ofsted Registered with a ‘Good’ rating providing learning and play experiences for children aged 22 months to 5-year-olds. We are open Monday to Friday offering a variety of sessions between 08:45 to 15:00 term time.

We have our own building with easy and safe access to the local park; our own woodland for forest school; Oldbury Woods and nearby farmland.

The Pre-School is graduate led and provides a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, where children are encouraged to achieve their full potential in all areas of development, and where pre-school life will be a fun, relaxed and positive experience. We aim to provide an environment that feels like home as well as a rich outdoor learning environment to foster children’s resilience. We are a pre-school without most conventional plastic toys, meaning we use real items, loose parts, and nature through the seasons.
We view young children as curious individuals who have an innate powerful ability to see the potential world which surrounds them. Through our child centred approach to our curriculum, we work diligently to create highly engaging, enabling environments. The approaches and experiences we offer to enhance children’s early learning and education include a mix of

o In the moment planning and learning through play o The Curiosity Approach o The Early Years Foundation Stage o Forest School sessions and outdoor learning

The Curiosity Approach combines inspiration from pioneering theorists including Maria Montessori, Rudolph Steiner, Reggio, and Te Whariki from New Zealand. Creating rich learning environments to engage in and play the children use natural objects and loose parts to stimulate their curiosity, imagination, and creativity. We aim to be environmentally friendly and use sustainable equipment and resources.