Noah's Ark Preschool

An outdoor obstacle course, children choosing their own books and weekly library-service visits shaped Noah's Ark Preschool's September 2024 inspection picture. Its home is The Wooden Classroom in Paulton. The preschool has 26 places in total.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good and judged safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest practical detail is the combination of physical play, accessible resources and attention to children's interests; the improvement priorities concern staff coaching and communication with parents.

In September 2024, children tackled an outdoor obstacle course, with adults helping those who were younger or less confident. This gave children a physical challenge with support adjusted to their confidence. Indoors, a cutting tray placed materials beside tools children could choose themselves, giving them opportunities to practise cutting and make decisions about what to use.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, its everyday expression in September 2024 included movement activities, practising independence and exploring books. Children selected reading material themselves, and staff responded by sharing the stories that interested them.

Weekly visits from the library service and visits by parents sharing their cultural identities also featured that September. These brought books and family experiences into children's learning about the wider world.

At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff recognised children needing additional help and used interventions supplied by external professionals to address learning gaps. During that month, visiting professionals also helped staff support children's language and communication.

Settling arrangements in September 2024 began with detailed information about children and their families. Staff met before sessions to discuss children, helping different adults work from a shared understanding of their needs. Handwashing after outdoor play and before eating formed part of the daily routine.

In September 2024, an online platform helped parents understand children's learning, but processes were insufficient to ensure this information reached parents who did not access it. Staff also undertook training with local school teaching teams, including school visits, to support continuity in language and communication as children moved on.

The address is The Wooden Classroom, Farrington Road, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW.

In September 2024, opening hours were 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays, during term time. Funded early education was provided then for children aged two, three and four. These are dated operating arrangements rather than a current attendance offer.

• Staff coaching. September 2024 brought a recommendation for more effective ongoing coaching to develop teaching. A visit is an opportunity to ask how staff now receive feedback and support.
• Communication beyond the online platform. In September 2024, processes needed improvement to ensure every parent received information about next learning steps and activities at home. Ask how this works for families who prefer another communication method.
• Attendance fit. The September 2024 routine followed weekday, term-time hours. What attendance arrangements would suit your child now?

Noah's Ark Preschool merits consideration for families drawn to physical play, child-chosen books and links with visiting services. Its September 2024 picture suits parents interested in a term-time preschool routine. The Good judgement sits alongside two concrete priorities: better staff coaching and learning information that reaches every family.