St Georges Pre-School

Songs, stories and even toothbrushing gave the day its rhythm at St Georges Pre-School in February 2024. Children found their own names on a board, while a sung welcome included those joining at lunchtime. These small routines gave children ways to participate from the start.

At its February 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good and found safeguarding effective, while requiring improvements to phonics teaching, written developmental summaries and safeguarding induction. Based at St Georges Hall in Lee Mount, Halifax, the setting has capacity for 24 children; those attending in February 2024 were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the February 2024 day included language, physical play and learning to manage everyday routines.

Singing supported conversation and language, and familiar stories encouraged children to predict what would happen next. Outdoors, bicycles gave children practice moving through the outdoor space; a slide offered opportunities to learn how to judge risks with staff support. Physical learning had concrete equipment behind it.

Celebrations also drew on children's home lives. In February 2024, staff had recently marked Burns Night and Chinese New Year, using families' celebrations to introduce children to other cultures. Name recognition and letter-sound songs supported early literacy, although the teaching sequence needed attention.

In February 2024, key-person relationships helped staff understand individual children, and parents spoke positively about settling. A Friday text update described the week's experiences, giving families a regular connection with their child's day.

Developmental assessments helped staff identify learning gaps. Work with other agencies included the health visitor and a coordinated developmental check for two-year-olds, but parents did not receive the required written summary. The special educational needs and disabilities coordinator was undertaking training for the role.

Health habits were practical, too. In February 2024, children practised toothbrushing after breakfast with an oversized model of teeth and a song, alongside handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes. Turn-taking and tidying routines helped prepare them for school.

The address is St Georges Hall, Lilac Street, Lee Mount, Halifax HX3 5BT. In February 2024, the pre-school operated on weekdays during term time, with session times of 9am to 3pm, and provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Early literacy. In February 2024, staff needed phonics training to put activities into a more useful teaching sequence. Discuss how letter-sound learning now progresses.
• Developmental feedback. The February 2024 two-year check lacked a written summary for parents. A written account matters alongside informal updates.
• Safeguarding induction. In February 2024, newer staff lacked knowledge of the Prevent duty because induction did not cover every safeguarding element early enough. Explore how that induction has changed.
• Term-time fit. The February 2024 timetable ran from 9am to 3pm on weekdays during term time. What attendance arrangements and funded-hour terms would apply to your child now?

The February 2024 picture suits families seeking a preschool experience built around singing, stories, outdoor movement and familiar routines. Regular parent updates and health-visitor coordination add practical value. The Good judgement comes with specific cautions: literacy sequencing, written developmental feedback and early safeguarding training all deserve attention in a family's decision.