Little Wonders Pre-School

Books, sensory experiments and outdoor mark-making shaped daily life at Little Wonders Pre-School in December 2023. Learning at this Birmingham setting centred on language, practical exploration and relationships with familiar adults.

At its December 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) received effective support. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strengths sit alongside two clear priorities: more precise staff development and better information for parents about learning.

In December 2023, books shaped the curriculum, with storytelling feeding into children's conversations during play. Songs and descriptions of activities helped extend vocabulary. Language learning was woven into ordinary experiences rather than confined to a separate activity.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its practical expression included exploration through play. In December 2023, children experimented with food colouring, cornflour and water, discussing changes in texture and colour. Scented liquids added another route into describing sensations and recalling familiar smells.

Outdoor activity connected small movements with bigger ones. In December 2023, chalk drawing encouraged children to copy lines and shapes, while tracing around people prompted comparisons of size. Ride-on vehicles gave them space to practise larger movements.

In December 2023, children stayed with their key person during the day, giving relationships continuity. Staff also learnt about family circumstances, helping them understand the child beyond the activity in front of them.

Support for SEND included identifying developmental gaps, drawing up individual support plans and seeking advice from external agencies. These arrangements formed part of the December 2023 provision. Workshops offered parents opportunities to take part, but some families received too little regular information about development to help extend learning at home.

Safeguarding practice in December 2023 included recognising possible signs of harm, responding to concerns and assessing risks before community outings. Children were also taught to recognise risks themselves.

The address is 2-4 Guild Close, Birmingham, B16 8EL.

In December 2023, attendance ran on weekdays during term time, with sessions starting at 8.45am and ending at 3pm. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. That dated attendance pattern is the practical context for the activities described here.

• Teaching precision. In December 2023, some staff could not explain children's next learning steps clearly, and behaviour reminders were sometimes unnecessary. More targeted training was needed to make practice consistent.
• Development updates. Some parents lacked regular progress information in December 2023. A useful conversation should cover how updates help families continue learning at home.
• Term-time attendance. The December 2023 sessions followed a weekday, term-time pattern. How does today's attendance and funding arrangement compare with that pattern?

The December 2023 picture of Little Wonders would suit families drawn to book-led learning, sensory exploration and continuity with a key person, within a weekday, term-time attendance pattern. At that inspection, engaging practical experiences were strengths; teaching precision and parent communication were priorities for improvement.