Little Learners Pre-School Day Care

Castles, knights and a child-led stage production give Little Learners Pre-School Day Care a memorable character. In June 2022, children’s interests shaped the end-of-year performance: they made props, rehearsed songs and acted together. Their ideas had practical consequences.

Ofsted rated the setting Outstanding at its 21 June 2022 inspection. Based at Brighouse Adult & Community Learning Centre, it has 49 places in total for children aged 24 to 60 months.

In June 2022, learning combined independent choices with adult challenge. Toddlers experimented with the sounds of kitchen utensils and pans, while a digital globe helped children investigate animals, their food and places around the world. Large equipment gave younger children opportunities to practise climbing and rolling.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together; here, the June 2022 examples included conversation, imaginative play and physical exploration. Adults extended children’s vocabulary through explanations and questions. Older children concentrated on activities they had chosen, while staff tracked learning and planned what should come next.

Cooperation was visible in June 2022 too. Children built model aeroplanes together and agreed how to repair them; pretend tea and doll play gave younger children reasons to communicate. Regular park outings offered larger spaces and uneven ground, while a supermarket visit connected a healthy-eating topic with buying fruit for smoothies. Road-crossing practice made outings useful beyond the activity itself.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Staff discussed safety together, recruitment checks were followed by supervision, and indoor and outdoor hazards were assessed.

In June 2022, key-person pairings followed children’s strongest relationships with staff. Quiet spaces offered a retreat, and adults used stories and patient company when children were hesitant to continue lunch. These were concrete responses to individual comfort rather than a single routine imposed on everyone.

Picture cards helped children who were developing speech express choices and request help. During June 2022, parents received ideas for learning at home, positive behaviour and potty training. Staff also observed one another’s teaching to share practice.

The address is Brighouse Adult & Community Learning Centre, Church Lane, Brighouse, HD6 1AT. Opening hours are 09:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday, during term time; the setting closes for school holidays.

In June 2022, funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Term-time timetable. The opening day runs from 09:30 to 15:30 and school holidays are closures. How do current booking patterns and funded attendance work within that timetable?
• Child-led learning. The June 2022 examples involved sustained independent play, collaborative construction and a performance built around children’s interests. This approach will appeal to families who value children having a meaningful say in their activities.

Little Learners suits families seeking term-time care within a daytime opening window. Its June 2022 picture is compelling: children made decisions, worked together and received patient individual attention. The Outstanding judgement provides a strong dated assessment, with the child-led production and responsive key-person arrangements giving that assessment substance.