Pettitts Pre-School

Books, conversation and practical independence give Pettitts Pre-School its character: children explore print through their own artwork, handle construction materials and take part in everyday jobs. Ofsted rated the setting Good on 17 February 2023 and judged safeguarding effective. Its capacity is 26 children, at The Cornerstone on Main Street in Countesthorpe.

The daily offer includes songs, rhymes, musical instruments and outdoor play. Learning starts with things children can handle and discuss, rather than an abstract lesson: sorting objects introduces mathematical ideas, while drawing gives children practice controlling a pencil and expressing an idea.

In February 2023, the children attending were aged two to four, and session times ran from 8am to 3pm during term time. Those dated details provide context for the preschool experience described below.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: children build language, physical skills and understanding through play and everyday routines. At Pettitts, names on children's artwork, storytelling and a book corner make written language part of familiar activities. Pens and pencils introduce the control needed for writing. The emphasis is preparation through experience.

Mathematical ideas also have tangible starting points. Sand, water and construction toys give children opportunities to sort, match and put things in order; games and jigsaws develop recognition of shapes and colours. Daily singing and rhymes add another way to practise language, with opportunities to explore instruments too.

In February 2023, storytelling was supported by a cosy space where adults shared books with children. Children selected books themselves, recognised familiar story patterns and joined in. Book bags and story sharing diaries extended that activity into family life, giving parents a practical connection with the stories their children were enjoying.

Outdoor and Community Life

Outdoor play is part of the current nursery day. In February 2023, treasure-map play involved searching, digging and investigating discoveries with magnifying glasses. This gave conversations a purpose: children had something to describe, question and explain.

Passing recycling vehicles and diggers also prompted discussions that month. Adults used children's observations to introduce questions and new words, while counting appeared in everyday activities. Familiar sights became material for learning about the world, rather than a separate topic detached from children's interests.

Everyday independence receives practical attention. Children practise tidying, washing dishes and managing toilet routines, including handwashing. These are useful skills in their own right, and they give children a part in looking after their shared space.

At its February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that key-person relationships supported children's security, parent communication helped families continue learning at home, and children with SEND received good support through outside agencies and individual strategies. Daily social and communication groups were part of that support at the time.

In February 2023, parents contributed information about what their children could already do when starting preschool. Staff used those starting points alongside observations to plan subsequent learning. That approach connected what happened at home with what adults planned in the setting, rather than treating the two as separate accounts of a child.

The same month's observations included children managing coats and shoes, preparing snacks and clearing up afterwards. Independence was practised through ordinary tasks. However, quieter children sometimes needed more encouragement to speak during group activities, and improving that support was the specific action identified for further development.

Sessions and Attendance

Pettitts Pre-School is based at The Cornerstone, Main Street, Countesthorpe, LE8 5QX. Its contact form accepts messages and requests to arrange a visit, providing a direct enquiry route for families.

In February 2023, the setting operated on weekdays in term time, with sessions running from 8am to 3pm. These were the arrangements at that date. They describe a preschool timetable organised around the term, rather than establish a current booking pattern.

Funding and Paid Extras

In February 2023, Pettitts provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of its funding provision, rather than a guarantee of an individual child's entitlement. Current prices should form part of the nursery's written quotation.

• Quieter children in groups. In February 2023, some less confident children needed more active encouragement to contribute. During a visit, ask how practitioners now help a child who listens readily but rarely volunteers an answer.
• Planning attendance and costs. The February 2023 timetable was term-time, with sessions from 8am to 3pm. Before committing, request a written quotation covering the current attendance pattern, funded hours, food and consumables.

Pettitts suits families looking for play-led preschool learning with an emphasis on books, conversation and everyday independence. Its current activities give children several routes into early skills: drawing, construction, singing and practical jobs. The February 2023 assessment adds a positive, dated picture of relationships and support, alongside a clear improvement point about helping quieter children speak in groups. For a reserved child, that question deserves particular attention when choosing.