Mary Godwin Under Fives

Pine cones, balls with tails and marbles balanced on golf tees gave physical learning a practical character at Mary Godwin Under Fives in July 2022. Small movements mattered alongside running and climbing. Ofsted rated the setting Good on 1 July 2022.

Based in Swindon Village, Cheltenham, the nursery has 14 places in total. Children attending in July 2022 were aged two to four; that age range describes the children at that visit.

In July 2022, children explored how different objects travelled when thrown, using balls after an interest in throwing pine cones. Balancing marbles on golf tees set into cardboard exercised finger control and coordination. Outdoor dancing, balancing and jumping brought larger movements into the day.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, its practical expression in July 2022 included counting fruit portions at snack time and choosing crackers by shape: mathematical language had a purpose beyond a separate activity.

Songs, circle games and stories supported younger children's listening and vocabulary. A story about a boy wanting to become a mermaid opened discussion about stereotypes and identity. There were limits to the teaching, too: adults sometimes supplied answers before children had time to think, while older and more able children needed harder questions and activities.

At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well supported, with good progress from their starting points. This included work with external agencies, prompt identification of additional support needs and reviews centred on each child.

In July 2022, staff helped children work through small disagreements themselves, making communication part of everyday relationships. Parents received explanations of learning intentions and practical help with learning at home, including toilet training. Additional funding supported disadvantaged children through resources, extra staffing or flexibility around collection and drop-off.

School preparation also formed part of the July 2022 curriculum. Staff identified the knowledge and skills children needed for that next step, linking preparation to learning rather than an admissions advantage.

The address is The Mary Godwin Pavillion, Wymans Lane, Swindon Village, Cheltenham, GL51 9QS.

In July 2022, attendance was term-time only, Monday to Friday, with sessions running from 8.45am to 3pm. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. These arrangements describe that period.

• Thinking time. In July 2022, adults sometimes answered their own questions too quickly. Giving children space to try, make mistakes and reconsider was an improvement priority.
• Challenge for older children. July 2022 activities and conversations did not consistently stretch the most able. Families should weigh this alongside the practical physical and language experiences described above.
• Term-time attendance. The July 2022 pattern followed term time, with sessions from 8.45am to 3pm. At a visit, what attendance patterns and funded-hours arrangements now apply?

Mary Godwin Under Fives suits families who value practical learning and a small overall capacity. Its July 2022 experience combined physical exploration, everyday mathematics and support for communication. The balance needs attention: children also needed more thinking time and greater challenge. For families considering term-time sessions, that dated account provides a useful starting point for a visit.