Whipper Snappers Pre-School

In September 2023, Whipper Snappers Pre-School's pack-away learning space supported play shaped around children's ideas, with a practical emphasis on communication and independence. At its September 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and identified effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Based in Bartley Green, the pre-school has capacity for 25 children aged 24 to 60 months. It operates during term time, making the school-holiday closure an important part of the childcare decision.

In September 2023, staff arranged the pack-away space to give children different opportunities for play. Children's interests shaped what happened next: when they wanted a pretend bus journey with their dolls, practitioners built a vehicle and developed conversation about its destinations. This gave children's ideas a practical role in their learning.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning and care, with play supporting development across its areas of learning. In September 2023, staff used information from parents and observations of children's interests to plan activities. In the home corner, naming utensils and discussing their uses brought new vocabulary into familiar pretend play.

Self-portraits offered another concrete starting point. In September 2023, children used mirrors and collage materials to explore their individual features, while conversations addressed similarities and differences between people.

In September 2023, independence was built into everyday tasks. Children washed their hands using soap and poured drinks themselves from a small water container. Staff adjusted their help so children could attempt tasks for themselves.

The special educational needs coordinator worked with external agencies in September 2023, using observations and targeted intervention to organise support. Staff also refreshed safeguarding knowledge through training, and safeguarding discussions formed part of staff meetings. These are dated practices, rather than a description of today's staffing arrangements.

St Michael's Church Hall, on Field Lane in Bartley Green, Birmingham, B32 3PS, is the setting's address. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; it closes for school holidays.

In September 2023, the pre-school provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. That dated participation should inform the funding discussion rather than be treated as a current entitlement offer.

• Explaining rules. In September 2023, staff sometimes corrected behaviour without explaining the reason. Children needed clearer explanations to understand why a rule mattered.
• Making choices meaningful. In September 2023, children chose between stories, but staff did not explain the voting process. The improvement priority was to give children more opportunities to vote and make choices, and explain how their voices counted.
• Term-time care. The pre-school closes during school holidays. Families needing year-round childcare must account for those breaks.
• Funding discussion. Funded early education formed part of the September 2023 offer. At a visit, what funded attendance and associated charges would apply to your child now?

Whipper Snappers suits families seeking term-time care within a 9am to 3pm opening window. Its September 2023 picture centres on responsive pretend play, language and practical independence. The two improvement priorities also matter: explaining behaviour rules and providing more opportunities to vote and make choices, with clearer explanations of how children's voices count.