Sticky Fingers Pre-School

In March 2024, signs protecting homemade birds’ nests, stories acted out with props and performances for parents gave Sticky Fingers Pre-School a recognisable character. In March 2024, children used writing for a purpose and had opportunities to speak, perform and explore beyond the classroom.

At its March 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the pre-school Good overall and found safeguarding effective. On Wakefield Road in Copley, Halifax, it has capacity for 25 children. The children attending in March 2024 were aged 2 to 10; that age span included provision beyond the preschool day.

In March 2024, the creative area supplied materials for drawing and early writing, with staff helping children develop pencil control. Children chose where to play, while adults joined their imaginative games and intervened when useful. This gave children room to develop their own ideas.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children’s learning, development and care: here, its practical expression in March 2024 included purposeful play, storytelling and early writing. Puppets and story props encouraged children to retell familiar tales; singing and instruments gave them further ways to listen and communicate.

Beyond the classroom, March 2024 experiences included bus journeys and buying food for snack time at the local market, supported by additional funding. Performances for parents took place termly. A prayer mat and Ramadan calendar introduced children to aspects of Islamic faith, making cultural learning concrete rather than abstract.

At the March 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that the special educational needs co-ordinator worked with parents, arranged referrals and organised targeted activities in small groups, helping children with SEND progress towards their learning goals.

In March 2024, staff encouraged children to explain their feelings and requests to one another, supporting sharing and turn-taking. Parents could join play days and received learning information sheets, helping them understand and extend their children’s learning at home.

Healthy habits had practical expression too. In March 2024, staff discussed healthy lunchboxes with families, and children were encouraged to clean their teeth after lunch in response to local dental concerns.

The address is Wakefield Road, Copley, Halifax, HX3 0TP.

In March 2024, attendance operated during term time, Monday to Friday, with sessions running from 9.05am to 3.05pm. There was also care before and after school for children attending the pre-school and Copley Primary School, alongside a holiday club serving local children. These were separate patterns serving different family routines.

Funded early education for children aged two, three and four was provided in March 2024. This is a dated account of the funding offer and attendance arrangements.

• Monitoring staff practice. In March 2024, checks on training effectiveness and staff knowledge were inconsistent. The improvement priority was stronger monitoring, which matters because training needs to translate into everyday practice.
• Attendance across the year. The March 2024 arrangements combined a term-time preschool day, care before and after school and a holiday club. Which current pattern would cover your child’s age and the weeks you need?

Sticky Fingers’ March 2024 picture suits families drawn to purposeful creative play, storytelling and experiences beyond the classroom. Its attendance arrangements then served both families seeking term-time places and those needing the before-and after-school service. The Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, balanced by a clear priority to improve how staff practice is monitored.