Aston Pre-School

Emotional confidence and conversation give Aston Pre-School its clearest character: in March 2023, children talked about their feelings, practised new vocabulary and built close relationships with their key person. These were practical foundations for joining in and learning through play.

At its 8 March 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective. Aston Pre-School has 40 places in total and accepts children aged 24 to 60 months, at St James Parish Church in Birmingham.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care, connecting play with communication, physical development and growing independence.

In March 2023, toddlers explored shapes through paint printing, while older children scooped sand and built with it. Construction pieces introduced counting, colours and comparisons of height. These activities gave children concrete things to discuss rather than relying on questions alone.

Staff also responded to immediate interests: falling snow prompted outdoor exploration, and running and ball play exercised larger movements. Children selected resources, put on their outdoor clothes and helped tidy up, giving them opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.

Individual planning needed greater precision, however. Assessments were not consistently translated into teaching tailored to each child's next step. Older children also sometimes waited while staff reorganised resources between activities, reducing opportunities to keep playing and learning.

In March 2023, key-person relationships supported children's sense of security, while group conversations helped them recognise and express feelings. Staff explained expectations and encouraged cooperation and turn-taking, making behaviour part of everyday learning.

At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children made good progress from their starting points, including those receiving additional funding, and that staff training helped improve physical care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Communication about care was a strength of the relationships with parents and other professionals. Information about children's next learning steps was less detailed, leaving parents with less guidance for continuing that learning at home.

The address is St James Parish Church, 223a Frederick Road, Birmingham B6 6BP. Opening hours are 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the setting closes for school holidays. That calendar makes holiday childcare a separate consideration for working families.

In March 2023, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Individual next steps. Planning needed more precise use of assessments in March 2023. During a visit, ask how a child's next learning priorities shape activities and information shared with parents.
• Keeping older children engaged. Some March 2023 transitions involved waiting while resources were cleared. Ask how snack time and session endings now keep children involved.
• Term-time calendar. School-holiday closure means families needing continuous childcare must plan around those breaks.

Aston Pre-School suits families seeking term-time provision for children aged 24 to 60 months. Its March 2023 picture combined emotional support, conversation and practical independence with weaknesses in individual planning, home-learning communication and transitions for older children. Those details matter more to the choice than the Good judgement alone.