Willesborough Baptist Preschool

A wooden climbing frame, an outdoor stage and children washing their own snack dishes give Willesborough Baptist Preschool a practical, hands-on character in its June 2023 account. Language development runs through that picture, from shared books to conversations about insects and rock pools.

At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good, found safeguarding effective and judged support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities positively. The preschool has 32 places in total at Willesborough Baptist Church in Ashford; children attending in June 2023 were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the June 2023 examples included conversation, imaginative play and counting games. Children practised counting through snakes and ladders and handled change in pretend shops, connecting mathematical ideas with play.

In June 2023, outdoor experiences included searching for objects in water and shaving foam, using a wooden frame for climbing and a stage for performances. These offered different ways to explore, move and express themselves. Familiar stories and exploring objects in a box gave staff starting points for conversations and new vocabulary.

There was a qualification to this activity-rich picture. In June 2023, staff sometimes concentrated on a small group and missed opportunities to involve other children, leaving those children less absorbed in learning.

In June 2023, staff offered comfort and encouragement, helped children handle disagreements and supported independence through tasks such as washing their cups and plates after snacks. Nurture groups worked on listening and language, while additional funding supported individual help and resources.

Daily transitions needed attention. In June 2023, the organisation of changes between activities sometimes left children uncertain about what would happen next and what staff expected. This matters alongside the warmer relationship work: children need understandable routines as well as responsive adults.

The address is Willesborough Baptist Church, Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford, TN24 0QR.

In June 2023, opening hours were 8.30am to 4.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, during term time. At that date, the preschool received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. These are dated operating arrangements, rather than a description of today's attendance offer.

• Changes between activities. June 2023 routines sometimes left children unsure of the next step. Ask how staff now explain and organise these changes.
• Participation in group activities. In June 2023, some children missed opportunities to join small-group learning. Ask how practitioners include children beyond the group they are working with.
• Attendance planning. The June 2023 opening pattern was term-time provision on four named weekdays. Which attendance patterns and funded arrangements would fit your child's week now?

For families who value language-rich play, practical independence and outdoor movement, the June 2023 picture gives clear reasons to consider Willesborough Baptist Preschool. Its strongest examples are concrete: storytelling, climbing, pretend shopping and children taking responsibility for snack dishes. Participation and daily transitions are the two practical points to explore when deciding whether it suits your child.