Stepping Stones Pre School

Shopping lists at the creation station and imaginary potions give Stepping Stones Pre School a recognisable character: everyday play becomes a reason to count, talk and share ideas. These examples come from May 2022, rather than a picture of today's daily routine.

At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, were developing their communication. Based at The Methodist Church Hall in Sapcote, it has 28 places in total; those attending in May 2022 were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the May 2022 examples included counting through play, practising conversation and learning to handle tools.

In May 2022, the creation station brought together colour recognition, shapes and counting as children made shopping lists. Imaginary potions prompted them to explain their games to friends. Indoors, books and board games sat alongside scissors and stampers; outdoors, bicycles and scooters gave children opportunities to practise taking turns.

Ofsted's May 2022 inspection found a thoughtfully planned curriculum, but asked staff to extend learning more consistently, including helping children persist with practical challenges. A fishing-net activity illustrated the limitation: distraction replaced support to keep trying when a child struggled.

In May 2022, picture prompts helped children understand the sequence of group activities, while a countdown prepared them for changes in outdoor play. These were concrete ways of making the session predictable.

Parents knew their child's key person and could discuss development face to face or through an online system. The Parents in Partnership support group added another route for family support. Staff also used information about children's backgrounds and parental feedback when planning their care.

During that same month, staff shared information about children throughout sessions and received training and feedback from leaders. Accident and injury records informed safety assessments, linking everyday incidents to decisions about the environment.

The address is The Methodist Church Hall, Leicester Road, Sapcote, Leicester, LE9 4JE.

In May 2022, attendance followed school terms, Monday to Friday, with morning sessions running from 9.15am to 12.15pm. Wednesday also had a lunch club from 12.15pm to 1.15pm, extending that day's attendance beyond the morning session. Funded early education was offered for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Practical challenge. The May 2022 improvement point concerned extending children's learning and practical skills. On a visit, ask how staff now help a child persevere when an activity becomes difficult.
• Attendance fit. The May 2022 pattern combined term-time mornings with a Wednesday lunch club. What attendance and funded-hours arrangements would apply to your child now?

Stepping Stones merits consideration for its May 2022 combination of purposeful play, clear routines and accessible parent communication. Its attendance pattern at that time suited families seeking term-time mornings or a morning extended by Wednesday lunch club. The teaching improvement point matters: the strongest next step is to explore how practical challenge has developed since that visit.