Fledglings Montessori Preschool

Woodland Adventures and Montessori give Fledglings Montessori Preschool its character: regular lessons in nearby woods sit alongside an approach that encourages children to choose, experiment and practise doing things themselves. The playground, open fields and woodland offer different kinds of outdoor activity. This is a preschool where the physical surroundings have a clear part in the learning.

At its 4 March 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Outstanding overall and found that its curriculum developed language, independence and readiness for the next stage of learning. Children attending then were aged two to four. Fledglings has 20 places in total.

The setting occupies The Old School at Little Horwood Recreation Ground in Little Horwood. Term-time sessions run Monday to Friday, with flexibility over attendance patterns where this preserves continuity for children.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: building language and listening skills, as well as learning to do things independently, are part of everyday learning under it. Here, Montessori adds an emphasis on making choices, trying out ideas and practising practical skills, with extended periods of activity giving children time to work at something before progressing. The approach makes space for persistence rather than requiring every child to move on together.

Practical Life and Sensorial learning sit alongside language, mathematical learning and culture. The emphasis on doing things independently gives these areas a practical purpose: children are encouraged to participate actively in their learning. Montessori is the approach alongside the statutory framework, rather than a replacement for it.

In March 2022, staff used conversations during activities to extend children's vocabulary. A woodland stick-collecting activity became an opportunity to practise listening and introduce language, while books prompted children to describe illustrations and help shape the storytelling. Those examples show how an outdoor task and a shared story could both become occasions for sustained conversation.

Outdoor and Community Life

Woodland Adventures are regular outdoor lessons involving exploration, observation and practical experiences in nature. Children investigate plants and insects, notice the seasons and use natural materials for creative activity and problem solving. Balance and coordination are also part of the sessions, giving outdoor learning a physical dimension as well as an investigative one.

The outdoor provision extends beyond the woods. A playground offers climbing and exploration, while open fields provide room to run and play. These are different spaces for different purposes, so outdoor time need not revolve around a single activity.

In March 2022, children took part in choosing which woodland path the group would follow. They also practised getting themselves ready for outdoor activity, finding their clothing and attempting to dress with staff encouragement where needed. Participation included both making a group decision and managing the practical steps needed to join in.

A child's needs are discussed with their parent or carer by the manager or key worker before they start. The discussion covers how best to support the child, and families receive information ahead of transitions. This creates an opportunity to share medical, dietary and cultural needs before the preschool day begins.

The SEND arrangements include a special educational needs co-ordinator who works with families and other professionals. Children identified as having SEND receive an individual programme, with strategies recorded through APDR, meaning Assess, Plan, Do, Review. Plans remain under review rather than being treated as a one-off document.

For children with an Education, Health and Care Plan, reviews with parents take place at least every six months. With parental permission, outside professionals can contribute advice; records are passed to the next setting when a child leaves. The practical value is continuity: information about a child's needs can accompany them through a change of setting.

At the March 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified targeted support for children with SEND and weaker speaking skills as helping them catch up. That is a dated assessment of practice, alongside the preschool's continuing arrangements for individual planning and family involvement.

The staff code requires calm explanations, positive guidance and respectful conversations. Parents can raise concerns with their child's key person or the manager, while collection by someone else requires staff to be informed and a password supplied. These are concrete expectations for everyday communication and handovers.

Sessions and Attendance

Term-time day sessions run from 9.15am to 2.15pm, Monday to Friday. Flexible attendance patterns may be accommodated where they support individual needs and preserve stability for the children. This flexibility is conditional, so it should be read alongside the minimum attendance requirements.

The minimum is two days, totalling six hours; for children receiving two-year-old funding it becomes ten hours, and for those entitled to three-year-old funding it becomes 15 hours. These requirements matter when matching a child's attendance to family routines and funding arrangements.

The waiting list follows application order, with possible priority for funded two-year-olds and other high-priority children where appropriate. Session changes require half a term's notice; cancellation requires that notice in writing or payment instead. Fees are invoiced in advance each half term, and absence refunds are not normally given.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered across the funding options within the preschool's opening hours and age range, including working family funding, on its term-time timetable. Families provide their funding code and complete paperwork before funding starts; in most cases, a claim can begin only in the term after the paperwork is received. Additional private hours are also charged.

Children bring a packed lunch, with an optional hot lunch available to purchase on some days. Snacks, activities and other consumables are supported by a separate voluntary contribution, including for funded attendance, except for children entitled to two-year-old funding because of additional government support or those eligible for early years pupil premium.

Current prices come in the preschool's written quotation. The funding and fees information explains the funding process and billing arrangements.

Getting There

The address is The Old School, Little Horwood Recreation Ground, Church Street, Little Horwood, MK17 0PF. Enquiries can be made by telephone, email or the contact form.

• Attendance commitments. Minimum hours rise with the relevant funded age category, while flexible patterns depend on maintaining continuity. At a visit, discuss how the proposed pattern would work alongside the 9.15am to 2.15pm session.
• Outdoor participation. Woodland Adventures involve physical activity and exploration. Ask how staff would adapt these sessions to your child's mobility, confidence or sensory needs.
• Changing arrangements. Half a term's notice applies to session changes and written cancellation, and absence refunds are not normally given. Families whose routines change frequently should weigh these terms before booking.

Fledglings suits families seeking term-time day sessions or a flexible attendance pattern within the preschool's conditions, with Montessori choice and practical learning alongside regular woodland activity. The playground, fields and woods give that approach a tangible setting. Its Outstanding judgement dates to March 2022; the current decision also turns on whether the attendance minimums, session window and notice terms fit family life.