Almonds Pre-school

In October 2022, repeated stories, autumn discoveries and learning to pour drinks characterised Almonds Pre-school's emphasis on language and growing independence. Based at Bromham Village Hall, it has capacity for 66 children.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 7 October 2022. Children attending then were aged two to four, and the account of daily life below describes that period.

In October 2022, children's interests shaped activities, including pretend veterinary play with animal resources. The early years foundation stage sets expectations for learning, development and care; here, play, conversation and practical tasks brought those expectations into children's day.

Books received sustained attention. During October 2022, staff returned to the same story across a week, giving children repeated chances to absorb its language and retell it. Music sessions combined instruments, singing and listening to instructions. These were concrete opportunities to practise communication rather than simply sit and listen.

Autumn provided material for exploration that month. Children discussed discoveries brought from home, encountered vocabulary such as hibernation and explored seasonal changes in a nearby field. Physical activities included a slide and tricycles, while cutting dough with scissors gave smaller hand movements their own practice.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and appropriate support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including individual targets and additional funding used for resources suited to their needs.

In October 2022, children formed close bonds with familiar staff. Practitioners monitored small disagreements while encouraging children to work towards their own solutions, combining adult oversight with practice in friendship skills. Putting on footwear and coats, and pouring drinks, gave independence an everyday purpose.

Communication also had a tangible form that month: staff kept journals documenting children's learning. The setting cared for children learning English as an additional language, too.

The address is Bromham Village Hall, Village Road, Bromham, MK43 8JP.

In October 2022, attendance was during term time, Monday to Friday. Morning sessions ran from 9am to midday, with a lunch club extending attendance until 1pm. That offered a shorter morning or a longer stay encompassing lunchtime. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Understanding difference. In October 2022, celebrations and positive images were part of learning, but teaching did not explore what children shared or how they differed sufficiently. This was an improvement priority for broadening children's understanding of equality and diversity.
• Staff development. In October 2022, supervision gave staff time to discuss their work, but further training was needed to strengthen teaching. This matters alongside the positive examples of play and language learning.
• Attendance planning. The October 2022 model combined mornings with an optional lunch club during term time. At a visit, how do today's attendance and funding arrangements compare with that pattern?

The October 2022 picture suits families seeking morning preschool sessions or mornings extended with the lunch club, with conversation, stories and practical independence woven into play. Equality and diversity teaching and staff development were the two areas needing further attention. Those qualifications belong alongside the Good judgement when weighing the setting.