The Learning Station Playschool

A pet tortoise, carrot chopping and a dinosaur-themed virtual museum visit gave The Learning Station Playschool a practical, curious character in January 2023. This Bognor Regis setting has capacity for 22 children. At its 31 January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and judged safeguarding effective.

The children attending that visit were aged two to four. Those ages describe the inspection group, rather than a current intake promise.

In January 2023, children explored animal care through the playschool's tortoise, discussing its diet and how to handle it gently. A virtual visit to the Natural History Museum extended their interest in dinosaurs. These were concrete ways to connect conversation with something children wanted to understand.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the January 2023 examples included stories, imaginative play and practical tasks. Owl babies introduced nocturnal animals and new vocabulary. Chopped carrots became ingredients for pretend soup, linking tool use with imagination.

Physical play had substance too. In January 2023, balance beams, large play apparatus and trike ramps gave children opportunities to practise movement and judge how to use equipment safely. Scissors and tape dispensers brought smaller hand movements into making activities. Pouring milk and putting on coats also gave children manageable tasks to do for themselves.

In January 2023, children shared materials and used sand timers to organise turns. A lending library supported reading beyond the playschool, while conversations with families covered children's development. These details gave cooperation and parent communication a practical form.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children needing additional help received timely support through individual plans, family liaison and referrals. Translation agencies, gestures and signing also helped families and children using English as an additional language, although changes between activities could still be misunderstood.

Staff questioning needed refinement in January 2023: some adults moved on before children had enough thinking time to answer. Communication support for children learning English also needed further development. Both points matter because joining in depends on understanding what is happening and having space to contribute.

The address is Rose Green Infant School, Hawkins Close, Bognor Regis, PO21 3LW. In January 2023, the playschool operated next to Rose Green Infant School.

Opening hours in January 2023 were 9am to 3pm from Monday to Thursday and 9am to midday on Friday, during term time. These describe the historical opening window. At that time, the setting received early education funding for children aged two, three and four.

• Thinking time. Staff questioning needed more pauses in January 2023. During a visit, look for adults giving children time to formulate their own answers.
• Language and routines. Changes between activities could be misunderstood by children learning English in January 2023. Discuss how communication support would fit your child's languages and needs.
• Attendance fit. The January 2023 timetable was term-time, with an earlier Friday finish. What current attendance arrangements would fit your family's week?

The strongest case here is for families who value hands-on learning, animal care and growing independence. The January 2023 account contains useful, concrete examples, alongside two clear communication priorities. It gives a grounded picture of that period, with the current capacity of 22 providing a separate guide to the setting's overall scale.