Glenfall Pre-School

In March 2024, dinosaur ice experiments and mathematics with pom-poms gave Glenfall Pre-School a recognisable character: play became a starting point for learning. Ofsted judged it Good at its March 2024 inspection. The setting is in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, and has 15 places in total; children attending in March 2024 were aged two to four.

In March 2024, children chose activities in the playroom, while staff combined their interests with planned learning. A dinosaur activity explored freezing and melting, with pipettes giving children practice in the hand movements needed for writing. Science and physical skills shared the same activity. Staff explored how ice forms, what happens as it melts and ways to speed that process up. The dinosaur theme gave children a reason to investigate something that interested them; using pipettes brought precise hand movements into that investigation. This was a concrete example of planning learning around an interest, with several purposes within one piece of play.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the March 2024 examples included learning through play, conversation and practical exploration. At the water tray, adults introduced vocabulary while discussing dinosaur eggs. In the home corner, children built pretend family stories together, listening to each other's ideas. These March 2024 observations showed different opportunities for communication: adults extended vocabulary during exploration, while pretend play called for children to exchange ideas with one another. Children also turned to staff when they needed help, and adults took time to listen. For a parent, the useful detail is how conversation ran through activities.

Mathematics also allowed different levels of challenge in March 2024. Children counted pom-poms and compared quantities; those ready for more recognised groups without counting each item. The same March 2024 mathematics activity could therefore involve counting for one child and recognising quantities for another. Staff adjusted their questions to children's learning needs, giving those ready for greater challenge something further to think about. Forest school, an outdoor learning approach, also formed part of the day at that time.

At the March 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities good. The special educational needs coordinator worked with families, external agencies and staff to agree strategies for individual children.

In March 2024, settling arrangements were adapted to children's needs, and termly discussions with key persons gave parents time to discuss learning and progress. Staff also used lunchtime conversation to explore children's home experiences and talk about healthy foods and treats. Ordinary routines provided opportunities to talk, as well as to practise independence. The March 2024 lunchtime exchanges started with experiences from home and developed into discussion of foods children regarded as treats or healthy choices. Children contributed their own views. This made mealtimes part of the conversation across the day.

Staff meetings in March 2024 included discussion of key children and their learning needs. Alongside the termly parent discussions, this gave staff a regular opportunity to consider what individual children needed next. The settling arrangements and SEND strategies also centred on individual needs: the practical emphasis was on adapting support, with families involved in that process.

Glenfall Pre-School's address is Glenfall CP School, Glenfall Way, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, GL52 6XZ.

In March 2024, attendance was Monday to Friday during term time. Session times were 8.45am to 2.45pm, with Thursday ending earlier at 11.45am. That pattern matters for families arranging care around work, especially on Thursdays.

Funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds formed part of the provision in March 2024.

• Moving between activities. In March 2024, expectations during group activities and transitions were sometimes unclear, and some children became distracted while preparing for forest school. Ask how staff now help children understand the next step and get ready calmly.
• Term-time planning. The March 2024 timetable combined days ending at 2.45pm with a Thursday morning ending at 11.45am. How would the current attendance arrangements fit your family's working week and holiday care?

Glenfall merits consideration for families drawn to practical preschool learning: the March 2024 account connects children's interests with science, language and mathematics. Its inspection-era timetable suited both daytime attendance and a shorter Thursday morning. The transition concern is a useful point to explore alongside those strengths.