Little Gems Preschool

Drawing in flour and exploring woodland gave Little Gems Preschool a recognisable character at its June 2022 inspection. At its June 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good overall. There are 29 places in total; children attending in June 2022 were aged two to four.

Emotional development was a clear priority in June 2022. Staff used conversation and emotion props to help children express their feelings, giving them a practical way to talk about being upset or happy.

In June 2022, children explored indoors and outdoors through the early years foundation stage, the framework for their learning, development and care. Drawing in flour brought early writing into play: children used fingers and brushes to experiment with circles and letters from their names.

A June 2022 woodland outing connected language with direct experience. Children described leaves and twigs through their smells and textures, then paused quietly to watch a young bird. Nature provided something concrete to discuss.

Imaginative play also encouraged cooperation in June 2022. Dressing-up clothes and cardboard boxes helped children invent characters and negotiate roles. Older children helped younger children understand behaviour expectations.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including early professional involvement and individual targets shaped with parents. These findings matter because they concern how staff responded to individual needs, rather than a general promise of support.

In June 2022, staff knew their key children well and exchanged information with parents to help learning continue at home. Children practised handwashing and discussed toothbrushing and healthy food. Parents supplied lunch, while the preschool provided fruit and vegetable snacks.

Little Gems Preschool is based at Huncote Sports & Social Club, Enderby Road, Thurlaston, Leicester, LE9 7TF.

In June 2022, attendance ran Monday to Friday in term time, with sessions from 9am to 1pm or 9am to 3pm. That offered a shorter session ending at 1pm alongside a day ending later in the afternoon. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Purpose of activities. In June 2022, some planned activities lost their intended learning aim, including planting. Children consequently gained less from them than they could have.
• Time to answer. In June 2022, some staff needed to improve language modelling and questioning, including allowing children longer to respond. This matters for children developing confidence in conversation.
• Term-time fit. The June 2022 arrangements offered two session lengths during term time. At a visit, how do today's attendance and funding arrangements fit your family's week?

The June 2022 picture suits families who value outdoor exploration, imaginative play and attention to children's feelings. Its attendance model then served families wanting morning sessions from 9am to 1pm or term-time days from 9am to 3pm. The teaching priorities deserve equal weight: activities needed clearer learning aims, and conversations needed more space for children's answers.