Our pre-school & history
A warm, nurturing pre-school where children feel happy, calm and secure.
Our ethos
Our aim is to maintain a safe, healthy and nurturing environment where every child’s developmental needs are met. We encourage children to care for and respect themselves, others and their environment.
Our classroom is bright, friendly and cheerful, with the children’s artwork proudly displayed on the walls. We work in close partnership with parents, sharing information about each child’s development so their care is consistent at home and at pre-school.
A charity run by parents
Sonning Common Pre-School is a registered charity (no. 1028702), run by a voluntary parent management committee. Find out more about governance and our committee.
Ofsted
Our last Ofsted inspection, in January 2024, rated us Good. Inspectors said:
- “Staff warmly welcome children and their families at this inclusive pre-school.”
- “Staff’s interactions with children are nurturing and supportive.”
- “The manager and staff create a pre-school that is at the heart of the community.”
Moving on to school
We’re a feeder pre-school for all local schools. Because we share a site with Sonning Common Primary School, many children move up alongside friends from the same year and the year before. Our children also go on to Peppard and Kidmore End primary schools, and we work closely with those schools too, to help every child move on smoothly.
Our history
Sonning Common Pre-School was started in 1966 by a small group of mothers who wanted their children to have the chance to socialise. Its first home was Kidmore End Memorial Hall. Within two years there was a waiting list of almost 100 children, so a second group opened in Christ the King Church Hall.
By the late 1970s, running two separate groups had become unmanageable, and the idea of a building of our own was born. Sonning Common Primary School agreed to rent us the site, and a big fundraising effort began. With a loan from the Parish Council, Chiltern Edge Community Association acting as guarantors, and an incredible amount of hard work from parents, the pre-school opened on its present site in 1981.
In March 2011, after many years of hard work by staff, committee and parents, we moved into a new purpose-built building on the same site. It’s eco-friendly, with a more secure garden and accessible facilities.
Ready to take the next step?
We’d love to show you around and tell you more about life at Sonning Common Pre-School.