Hart Common Pre-School

Puddle play, blackberry picking and children pouring their own drinks give Hart Common Pre-School's January 2023 picture its character: practical experiences with opportunities to become more independent. Based at Westhoughton Rangers Football Club in Bolton, it has capacity for 24 children.

At its 10 January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good overall and judged safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest practical thread was independence, alongside an emphasis on conversation, songs and stories.

In January 2023, the curriculum covered seven areas of learning within the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care. Zoo-animal themes gave activities a shared subject, while nursery rhymes, storytelling and small-group language activities made communication part of the day.

Learning also involved handling and investigating objects. Children experimented with balancing scales and used shape magnifiers to find matching shapes around the room. These were concrete ways to explore weight and shape rather than simply hear about them.

Outdoor choice mattered too. In January 2023, children could move between indoor and outdoor play, splash through puddles and talk about the weather with staff. Nature walks included blackberry picking; children also remembered a visiting farm. Those experiences connected activities with the world beyond the pre-school.

There was a teaching weakness alongside this activity. In January 2023, staff were sometimes unclear about the intended learning, and some activities did not match children's developmental stage. Sharper planning was an improvement priority.

In January 2023, staff gathered children's interests and preferences before they started. Familiar routines included putting lunch boxes away and joining group activities, giving children manageable tasks within a predictable day.

Independence extended to hanging up coats, pouring drinks and putting on painting aprons. Staff encouraged children to manage disagreements and recognise other people's feelings. These everyday tasks gave children opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.

Assessment was reviewed regularly in January 2023, and staff discussed developmental concerns so that interventions could be targeted. Parents received information about their child's development and ways to support learning at home. Fresh fruit was served at snack time, and staff explained handwashing after coughs or sneezes.

Staff development was the other improvement priority: training needed to be more precisely directed towards improving teaching skills.

The address is Westhoughton Rangers Football Club, Wigan Road, Westhoughton, Bolton BL5 2BX.

In January 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on weekdays, during term time. At that time, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These are dated arrangements rather than a description of today's attendance offer.

• Teaching intentions. In January 2023, some activities were poorly matched to children's development. Ask how staff now plan learning for children at different stages.
• Staff development. More targeted training was an improvement priority in January 2023. Ask how professional development now changes everyday teaching.
• Attendance fit. The January 2023 timetable ran during term time, from 9am to 3pm on weekdays. What attendance patterns and funding arrangements would apply to your child now?

Hart Common's January 2023 picture suits families who value practical independence, language activities and outdoor exploration for a preschool-aged child. The balance is clear. Teaching intentions and staff development needed attention, so those specific issues deserve weight alongside the Good judgement.