Duffield Preschool

Growing strawberries for snack time and borrowing dual-language books give Duffield Preschool's September 2023 picture its character: practical learning, with links between home and preschool. At its September 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective. There are 24 places in total.

The age range in September 2023 was 2 to 10, spanning preschool and older children. That is a dated picture rather than a current age offer.

In September 2023, children explored construction with bricks, experimented with flattening play dough and used a tape measure to investigate their height. These were concrete ways to connect language, physical skills and early mathematical ideas.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the September 2023 examples included learning through play and taking responsibility at snack time. Children distributed plates and poured drinks themselves, giving everyday routines an independence-building purpose.

Garden growing supplied another practical connection. In September 2023, children helped cultivate tomatoes and strawberries, then harvested and ate them at snack time. Craft work linked to the village scarecrow competition introduced children to a local event and the purpose of scarecrows.

In September 2023, children could visit with their parents before starting, making staff and surroundings familiar. Practitioners talked with children about their families and holidays, while daily conversations with parents covered learning and development.

Dual-language books were available to borrow in September 2023, supporting reading at home for families whose children spoke English as an additional language. Staff also assessed learning to plan subsequent activities and introduced vocabulary through books.

At snack time in September 2023, adults sat with children and offered healthy food and drinks. Safety arrangements that month included evacuation practice, checks for damaged equipment, sun hats in hot weather and collection passwords for unfamiliar collecting adults.

The address is Park Road, Duffield, Belper, DE56 4GT. In September 2023, the preschool operated independently within the grounds of Meadows Primary School. Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

In September 2023, attendance was term-time, Monday to Friday, with sessions running from 7.30am to 6pm. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Learning follow-through. In September 2023, staff sometimes left unanswered questions unexplored, including a question about a toy spider's legs. Following those questions through was an improvement priority.
• Internet safety beyond preschool. September 2023 practice included supervision of technology use onsite, but children needed more help recognising and responding to online risks at home. This matters as technology use extends beyond supervised activities.
• Attendance planning. The September 2023 pattern combined term-time attendance with a substantial daily session. What attendance arrangements now suit your child's age and your working week?

Duffield Preschool suits families who value practical play, growing food and links between preschool learning and home reading. Its September 2023 provision brought those elements together, alongside an identified need for better follow-through on children's questions and learning about online safety. Families considering its term-time day sessions should weigh that dated attendance pattern against their present childcare needs.