Down in The Woods Pre-School

Children helping shape stories, parents helping shape learning: at its December 2024 inspection, Down in The Woods Pre-School combined imaginative play with close attention to individual development. At its December 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding and found safeguarding effective.

The setting has capacity for 24 children aged two to five, at The Annexe, Chichester Walk, Merley, Wimborne. Its inspection-era character is clear: purposeful conversation, practical experiments and parents contributing to what children learn next.

In December 2024, learning connected physical development with early writing. Younger children climbed indoor apparatus to strengthen their arms; older children practised finer movements with stickers and small craft materials. A miniature see-saw gave children a way to test how differently sized figures behaved. Snack-time conversations brought weight, volume and size into everyday experience.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the December 2024 activities made that learning tangible through movement, conversation and play.

Storytelling invited children to invent characters and decide what happened next. Staff animated stories with gestures and changing voices, while discussions about melting ice extended vocabulary. Sign language also supported communication.

Beyond the building, children gave flowers to people locally as an expression of kindness. Staff linked with educational settings overseas, and children explored similarities and differences between people, learning about children in other countries, including Ghana. These were concrete ways to explore empathy and the wider world.

In December 2024, parent planning brought families' learning priorities into activities, including a colour-matching task. Detailed developmental assessments combined staff knowledge with parental input, and targeted intervention sessions helped staff identify communication needs and respond promptly.

Rainbow rules gave children familiar reminders about behaviour. Staff redirected attention gently and modelled courtesy, while praise recognised children's achievements. Families received information about their children's next learning steps, making the connection between home and pre-school practical.

A recently created space for smaller-group work allowed activities to concentrate on specific learning intentions. Leaders reviewed provision and made adjustments, with this physical change providing a clear example.

The address is The Annexe, Chichester Walk, Merley, Wimborne, BH21 1ST.

In December 2024, the pre-school opened on weekdays from 9am until 3.30pm in term time. An after-school club ran from 3.15pm until 6pm during term time, and a holiday club operated from 9am until 6pm in school holidays. These were separate arrangements for the pre-school day and additional childcare.

Government-funded places formed part of the offer in December 2024.

• The pattern of care. The December 2024 arrangements separated term-time pre-school from after-school and holiday clubs. Which current attendance pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your family?
• A parent's role in learning. Parent planning brought family priorities into daily activities in December 2024. On a visit, explore how your child's interests would contribute to those plans.
• Communication support. Targeted intervention sessions and sign language supported communication in December 2024. Discuss how these approaches would relate to your child's needs.

For families who value imaginative language work, practical learning and a meaningful contribution to their child's next steps, this pre-school merits consideration. Its December 2024 provision combined a term-time pre-school day with after-school and holiday childcare, making it relevant to families seeking either a preschool routine or additional club care. The strongest reason to consider it is the connection between individual learning needs and everyday activities.