Caterpillars is a long established organisation dating back to the early 1960's, when it was originally based in the village of Eight Ash Green. ​Back then the groups aim was to provide a meeting place for children to socialise and learn through play.
In 2002, the group moved premises to St. Andrew's Church in Marks Tey and has successful Ofsted reports in 2002 & 2007. In 2011, 2016 and 2020 we received "Outstanding" in all areas.
In 2009, Caterpillars was invited to setup a second provision in a building in the grounds of Birch Church of England Primary School.
Since that time Caterpillars Birch has gone from strength to strength, receiving a successful Ofsted report six months after opening and also receiving 3 further Outstanding reports in 2011, 2014 and most recently in June 2022.
After 22 years at St Andrews Church Hall, from September 2024, our Marks Tey Setting started a new and exciting chapter as it moved to a new permanent home in a building in the grounds of St Andrews School, Mandeville Road, Marks Tey, CO6 1HL.
Caterpillars is an ever evolving establishment, changing to meet the needs of the children and community as well as ensuting it remains compliant with the latest Government policies and EYFS standards. Our Early Years Educators are also implementing new ideas and make change to our practices as our employees take part in ongoing training.
At Caterpillars we all learn together and we all learn from each other. Our Early Years Educators treat children as individuals to try and help them to answer their own questions, feel safe and secure to enable them to learn at their own pace and enjoy their time with us.
Our settings aim to:
In 2002, the group moved premises to St. Andrew's Church in Marks Tey and has successful Ofsted reports in 2002 & 2007. In 2011, 2016 and 2020 we received "Outstanding" in all areas.
In 2009, Caterpillars was invited to setup a second provision in a building in the grounds of Birch Church of England Primary School.
Since that time Caterpillars Birch has gone from strength to strength, receiving a successful Ofsted report six months after opening and also receiving 3 further Outstanding reports in 2011, 2014 and most recently in June 2022.
After 22 years at St Andrews Church Hall, from September 2024, our Marks Tey Setting started a new and exciting chapter as it moved to a new permanent home in a building in the grounds of St Andrews School, Mandeville Road, Marks Tey, CO6 1HL.
Caterpillars is an ever evolving establishment, changing to meet the needs of the children and community as well as ensuting it remains compliant with the latest Government policies and EYFS standards. Our Early Years Educators are also implementing new ideas and make change to our practices as our employees take part in ongoing training.
At Caterpillars we all learn together and we all learn from each other. Our Early Years Educators treat children as individuals to try and help them to answer their own questions, feel safe and secure to enable them to learn at their own pace and enjoy their time with us.
Our settings aim to:
- Provide high quality care and education for children below statutory school age
- Work in partnership with parents to help children to learn and develop
- Offer children and their parents a service that promotes equality and values diversity
- Add to the life and well-being of the local community
We strive to provide an environment and activities that stimulate and inspire children to learn through practical experience. Both our settings have access to outside play areas which are used to maximum benefit. The children are encouraged to use all spaces with free flow play between the indoor and outdoor spaces daily.
Most importantly, Caterpillars believes that learning should be fun!
