Steeple Aston Pre-School

A Victorian building adapted for preschool children, a mud kitchen beside the sandpit and music with a visiting guitarist give Steeple Aston Pre-School a clear character. This is a charitable, committee-run setting in rural Steeple Aston, where practical independence and hands-on play receive plenty of attention. Parents have a role beyond completing forms: volunteer parents and staff make up its committee.

At its 9 November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. Today, the setting has 25 places in total, a capacity figure rather than a daily group size.

The strongest practical attraction is the combination of accessible indoor resources and substantial outdoor play. The attendance options documented in November 2022 included morning, afternoon, lunch and all-day sessions, during school terms.

Rooms and Ages

The modernised and extended Victorian building is used exclusively by preschool children, with resources children can choose themselves.

The main room has accessible creative drawers, a music basket and programmable toys. The Back room area supports outdoor dressing and cooking, with low sinks and toilets nearby for independent personal care. Children frightened by the hand dryer can use paper towels.

Children have time to practise putting on wellies and waterproofs. Cooking introduces ingredients, recipes, weighing and textures, with parents able to participate.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the framework for learning through play, with experiences adapted to children's development. Here, creative activity, language, physical skills and problem-solving overlap: handling materials can involve discussing texture, sharing tools and working out how to make something. Observations include photographs, individual observations and spontaneous records of learning, while parents contribute information about development at home.

Letters and Sounds adds a named approach to phonics and early reading. For Rising R’s, the planned work covers stages 1 and 2 of that programme. It gives families a specific indication of the early reading work, alongside the broader play-based day.

A guitarist visits weekly. Children request songs, learn words and move to music, combining adult-led sessions with their own choices. Main-room instruments also encourage sound exploration and listening.

In November 2022, mathematical language grew out of comparing pieces of spaghetti, while water play used cups and pipettes. Counting also accompanied ride-on play. Those examples show how familiar materials became opportunities to discuss length, quantity and time, rather than keeping early mathematics separate from play.

Outdoor and Community Life

Much of the day takes place outdoors. The compost area contains a mud kitchen, with a sandpit alongside it; containers, scoops and saucepans bring measuring and negotiation into imaginative play. A large wall-mounted chalkboard, tyres and a train provide further surfaces and structures for exploration. Washable clothes have a practical purpose here.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted identified a need to position staff more effectively outdoors and share stronger practice so that interaction and challenge reached children more consistently. That matters because outdoor play occupies so much of this setting's day. Equipment and space are only part of the experience; adult involvement matters too.

Relationships and Communication

Key-person support considers each child's development and circumstances. The behaviour policy helps children understand disputes and manage responses, prohibits humiliation, shouting and punitive isolation, and allows distressed children time to calm down with their key person.

Settling sessions are discussed before children start. In November 2022, staff adjusted activities and the environment to help individual children settle.

Parents can email the preschool or committee; the noticeboard folder holds policies, invoicing information and committee minutes. In November 2022, meetings covered settling and progress, an online system exchanged information, and a weekly newsletter suggested home learning. Children borrowed books to share at home.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The team includes a SENDCO role. Admissions procedures require an assessment of additional needs at registration, with an application for SEN inclusion funding where the setting's core budget cannot meet those needs. Preparations for more complex needs can include staff training, a health care plan and changes to the environment; the policy requires a realistic timetable and updates for families and relevant agencies.

Behaviour support progresses through adjustments, identifying triggers with parents and specialist involvement where needed. The Early Help team and Area SENCo provide routes to further support.

The manager and deputy hold the lead and backup safeguarding roles. Team qualifications include diplomas or apprenticeships in children's care, learning and preschool practice. These describe the staffing structure; the dated safeguarding judgement remains the relevant quality assessment.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Fir Lane, Steeple Aston, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX25 4SF. Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01869 340863 or by email to info@steepleastonpreschool.org.uk.

In November 2022, opening hours were 8.50am to 2.50pm on weekdays during school terms, with morning, afternoon, lunch and all-day bookings. The fees arrangements also include Early birds sessions. Opening hours and individual session lengths are different measures when planning childcare around work.

Applications can be made after a child reaches three months, which is an application age rather than an attendance age. The waiting list uses birth order and the timing of registration; its policy also allows consideration of funding eligibility, proximity to home, siblings and the setting's capacity to meet individual needs. An application receives an acknowledgement before offered sessions are discussed.

Funding and Paid Extras

Nursery Education Funding is accepted for eligible children aged two, three and four, with a Parent Declaration Form required for funding. Funding starts the term after the child turns two or three. Private sessions are charged by age, invoices are issued before each month begins and payment is due monthly in advance. Holidays and short absences do not attract refunds; families should obtain a current written quotation using the sessions and fees page.

Parents supply lunchboxes and contribute snacks, which can include fruit, vegetables and home baking. The preschool has a no-nut policy covering lunchboxes and snacks, including products that may contain nuts or come from environments where nuts are present.

For children using nappies, parents provide a named bag containing nappies, wipes and disposal bags, and replenish it regularly. The preschool also welcomes donations of craft materials and other supplies. Annual fundraising helps cover operating costs and supports planned garden improvements, so family involvement extends beyond the monthly bill.

Moving on to School

The preschool describes itself as a feeder for a primary school, with familiarity with a primary school setting intended to help children moving on there or elsewhere. Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Outdoor adult involvement. The November 2022 improvement point concerned how staff supported learning outdoors. During a visit, ask how practitioners now organise their involvement around the mud kitchen, sandpit and free play.
• Attendance fit. Morning, afternoon and all-day patterns were documented in November 2022, alongside a term-time opening window. Establish which pattern and hours would form your child's booking, including any Early birds arrangement.
• Food and personal supplies. Lunchboxes, snack contributions and nappy supplies involve preparation at home. Families managing allergies should confirm how the no-nut policy operates in current practice, including shared snacks.
• Additional needs and starting. More complex SEND can require preparation before a start date is agreed. Use the settling discussion to establish the adjustments, timetable and communication arrangements for your child.

Steeple Aston Pre-School suits families who value outdoor play, practical independence and an active relationship with a small charitable setting. The mud kitchen, accessible creative materials and weekly guitar visit give that choice substance. Its November 2022 attendance model served both shorter morning or afternoon bookings and all-day attendance during term time.

The dated Good judgement is encouraging, while the outdoor improvement point deserves attention because it concerns a major part of the day. For parents comfortable contributing lunchboxes, supplies and community involvement, this is a preschool with a recognisable character and useful mechanisms for individual support.