Welcome to Godinton Playschool CIC
All About Us
Established for over 30 years, we are a friendly and welcoming Playschool run by dedicated staff who are constantly striving to provide our children with the highest possible standard of
preschool provision.
At Godinton Playschool CIC, we are dedicated to creating a nurturing, stimulating and welcoming environment for all children, while always keeping the child’s best interest in mind and allowing for hands-on, experiential learning.
The hall is divided into individual sections to encourage the children's development within the seven areas of learning. Being a pack-away setting, we are constantly reviewing the learning environment that we are providing and ensuring that the equipment and resources are varied and suitably challenging.
The Playschool has its own large secure outdoor play area behind the hall, to allow outdoor play everyday. The children take part in many activities including arts and craft, messy play, science experiments and song time to name a few.
​
Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL)
"The ways in which the child engages with other people and their environment - playing and exploring, active learning and creating and thinking critically - underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective an motivated learner."
​
- Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Children learn in different ways depending on their individual stage of development.
We incorporate this in our activity planning and how we organise our learning environment, we use our observations of the children to assess their development, allowing us to provide guidance and support where required and to set learning goals to strengthen the skills needed to build a foundation for their overall learning and development.
The Seven Areas of Learning
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidelines, which sets standards to support each child’s learning, development and care. We believe that children settle and develop best when they have a key person to care for them. The key persons role is to ensure that the child for whom they have special responsibility feels individual, cherished and thought about by someone in particular whilst they are away from home. We pride ourselves on the relationships we have with our children’s parents/carers, working in partnership to enable the children to develop to their full potential.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
-
Self Regulation
Managing Self
Building Relationships
Physical Development
-
Gross Motor Skills
Fine Motor Skills
Communication & Language
​
-
Listening, Attention and Understanding
Speaking
Literacy Development
​
-
Comprehension
Word Reading
Writing
Mathematics
​
-
​
Number
Numerical Patterns
​
Expressive Art & Design
​
-
Creating with Materials
Being Imaginative & Expressive
Understanding The World
​
-
Past & Present
People, Culture & Communities
The Natural World
​
What we get up to
​
09:00 - 09:15 Doors Open.
Registration. Children put their bags and coats on their pegs, find their name badge on the board and post it in the letterbox.
Free play indoors whilst other children arrive and settle. Doors close at 09:15.
​
09:15 - 09:30 Good Morning Circle Time.
​
All children are encouraged to sit together to say Good Morning, we talk about which day it is, which month and season we are in and what the weather is doing outside.
​
We also have a look at the activities/resources we have set up that day.
​
09:45 - 10:15 Snack Time.
​
Snack is provided by the setting, offering a variety of nutritional foods with the option of milk or water to drink . They are asked whether they would like to come for snack and sit in a small group of six at the table.
​
Free play indoors and in the garden.
​
10:00 - 11:30 Free Play.
​
Children to explore different areas of learning indoors and in the garden.
Observations and adult led activities within this time.
​
11:30 - 11:40 Tidy Up Time
​
Children are encouraged to work together to help tidy away the resources ready for lunch.
​
Staff to set up lunch tables.
​
11:40 - 12:00 Group Circle Time.
​
Group circle games (Developing turn taking and listening to instructions.)
Story time and songs.
​
Children staying for lunch to wash their hands, collect their lunchboxes and find a seat at a table.
​
Doors open for parents/carers to collect the children attending the morning session only.
​
Morning Session Ends
​
12:00 - 12:30 Afternoon Session Registration.
​
Lunchtime.
Staff sit with the children to eat their lunch.
​
12:30 - 13:20 Free Play.
​
Children to explore different areas of learning indoors and in the garden.
Observations and adult led activities within this time.
13:20 - 13:30 Tidy Up Time
​
Children are encouraged to work together to help tidy away the resources.
13:30 - 14:00 Group Circle Time.
Group circle games (Developing turn taking and listening to instructions.)
Story time and songs.
​
Doors open for parents/carers to collect their children.
​
Afternoon Session Ends.
​
Gallery
Early Years Healthy Eating & Oral Hygiene
Early years healthy eating and oral hygiene focuses on establishing good habits for life by providing a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients and preventing dental issues in young children.
Food
We have a regulatory obligation to provide healthy, balanced and nutritious food to children in our care and we strongly encourage healthy food choices for packed lunches from home.
​
Good food choices from an early age supports physical growth, cognitive development, healthy eating habits and long term wellbeing.
​
The Eatwell Guide on the NHS website provides information around a balanced diet and portion sizes.
​
Lunchbox ideas and tips can also be found on the NHS website.
Drink
As a setting we only provide milk and water for the children to drink. Fresh water is available all day for the children to help themselves.
It is extremely important for children to avoid sugary drinks at home, this includes fruit juices, squash and smoothies. ​
​
What children drink from can also impact their oral heath, guidance around bottles and cups can be found on the NHS website.
Oral Health
It is important to limit the amount of free sugars children eat and drink everyday.
​
It is essential to brush twice a day, including once just before bed. Adults should help children to brush their teeth to make sure they are brushing properly.
​
NHS Dental Services are free for all children under 18.
​
We promote good oral health in our setting through adult led activities, stories, discussion and role play.
​
If you have concerns about your child's oral health, please speak with a healthcare professional like a dentist or member of the dental team for advice.
Our Team
Our Testimonials
My son joined Godinton Playschool 3 months before he turned 3. He was slightly behind with his speech & I had my concerns but since attending playschool he has come on leaps & bounds & is now at the level he should be. The ladies are fantastic with all the children & even the parents. Everyone feels welcome. My son would run in happily & would come out smiling every day. All the staff go to so much effort with the activities making them engaging, fun and educational. I would wholeheartedly recommend Godinton Playschool to anyone. I can’t thank you ladies for all you’ve done for him. We will miss you all so much!
I have sent both of my girls to Godinton Playschool and I could not recommend it any more highly. The staff here are really what makes it a fantastic place for the kids, who come home full of smiles and funny stories.Â
My daughter absolutely loves all of the staff here, who are all dedicated to providing a safe and fun environment for the children, they are also passionate about their jobs, you can tell they genuinely care. The hall is full of fun things to do and they make an effort to do a wide range of activities which are going to engage brains, bodies and hearts!
I am actually a bit sad that I don't have any more children to send here now!
Mrs. Hall
Mrs. Gilhooly
Both of my children have attended Godinton Playschool over the past 5 years and it has been a great experience. The staff are amazing, kind, caring and put the children's needs first.
Our second child needed help adjusting to going to Playschool and the team were brilliant, from her key worker up to management. They were very reassuring and set an action plan to support her.Â
Our time at Godinton Playschool is slowly coming to an end and I will genuinely miss the team.
Our daughter has absolutely loved her time at Godinton Playschool. Since attending, she has gained confidence and independence and we always felt she had the best of care from all the staff. They were always approachable and helpful and nothing was ever a bother! The children's activities were varied and fun; providing the best start to education for our daughter. She felt happy and safe there. As parents, we were so pleased we chose it and we would recommend it to everyone.
Ms. Pile
Mrs. Morris
Both my children have attended Godinton Playschool, my first child attended from age   2 - 4.5yrs and my second child started age 2 and still attends now. We absolutely love it here, it has a warm and welcoming atmosphere from the minute the doors are opened. All the staff are lovely and the children are happy and relaxed around them. My children never want to leave at the end of the day! Different activities going on everyday, the outdoor space is set up perfectly for the children.
Godinton Playschool has been a godsend for our son who was speech delayed and not very confident around other children.
The staff at Godinton Playschool have been nothing but patient, caring and nurturing with our son, who has now absolutely excelled in every area of his development.
We can't thank Godinton Playschool enough.
E. Osborne
G. Earl
Term Dates
2025/2026
We are a term time only setting and follow the KCC Calendar to ensure that all children who are in receipt of their funding receive their allocated hours.
Our calendar may differ from local schools.
Term 1
Monday 1st September 2025
to Friday 17th October 2025
​
Autumn Half Term
Monday 20th October 2025
to Friday 31st October 2025
Term 2
Monday 3rd November 2025
to Friday 19th December 2025
​
Christmas Holidays
Monday 22nd December 2025
to Friday 2nd January 2026
​
Term 3
Monday 5th January 2026
to Friday 13th February 2026
​
Half Term
Monday 16th February 2026
to Friday 20th February 2026
Term 4
Monday 23rd February 2026
to Thursday 2nd April 2026
​
Easter Holidays
Friday 3rd April 2026 - Closed for Bank Holiday
Monday 6th April 2026
to Friday 17th April 2026
Term 5
Monday 20th April 2026
to Friday 22nd May 2026
​
Half Term
Monday 25th May 2026
to Friday 29th May 2026
​
Bank Holidays
Monday 4th May 2026 - Closed
Thursday 7th May 2026 - Reserved Closure for possible polling day.
​
​
​
​
​
​
Term 6
Monday 1st June 2026
to Monday 20th July 2026
​
Summer Holidays
Tuesday 21st July 2026
​
​
​
​
​
Opening Hours
Monday 09:00-14:00
Tuesday 09:00-14:00
Wednesday 09:00-14:00
Thursday 09:00-14:00
Friday 09:00-14:00
​
Fees and Funding
​
Half Day - 09:00 - 12:00 - £21.00 per session.
Full Day - 09:00 - 14:00 - £35.00 per session.
​
Free For Two Funding
Working Parent Entitlement for 2yr olds (15 Hours & 30 Hours)
15 Hours Funding for 3yrs & 4yrs
*30 Hours Funding for 3yrs & 4yrs
(Maximum of 25hrs per week.)
​
Free Early Education entitlement can only be claimed during the above Half Day/Full Day session times, on our 38 week term time only calendar..
​
Snack & Lunches.
​
Snack consists of fruit/vegetables, breadsticks/crackers or yogurt etc.
We offer milk or water to drink.
If your child is attending for a full session, please provide them with a packed lunch and drink, we promote healthy food and drink choices in lunchboxes.
We are a nut free environment.
Contact Us
Interested in learning more about Godinton Playschool CIC? Please feel free to get in touch and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Godinton Village Hall, Loudon Way, Ashford TN23 3JJ, United Kingdom
07982 829678
