Chelford Village Pre-School

Fish-shaped ice cubes, vegetable chopping and a disagreement over buttons give Chelford Village Pre-School its character: everyday materials became opportunities to think, persevere and learn to share in November 2023. This is a small setting, with capacity for 18 children, based at Chelford C of E Primary School.

At its November 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to five; that age range belongs to the inspection period.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care, bringing communication, physical skills and social development into their day. In November 2023, younger children practised listening through songs and stories, while older children explored the sounds within words. The progression connected early communication with preparation for school.

Experiments made ideas tangible. During that visit, children considered what warm water would do to fish-shaped ice cubes, with staff introducing vocabulary about melting and shrinking. Alternatives to pencil activities encouraged reluctant children to make marks, giving them another way to practise hand control.

Physical learning worked at different scales. In November 2023, buttons and dough exercised fingers, while outdoor space supported running and balance. Vegetable chopping brought another challenge: children used a plastic knife under close supervision and tackled vegetables that became harder to cut. Repeating the task gave them time to persevere.

In November 2023, staff helped children work through a disagreement about sharing buttons by expressing their feelings and considering their friends. This made a small conflict an opportunity to practise resolving problems together.

Assessment informed individual learning plans at that visit, and staff responded when progress slowed. Parents had requested more guidance for learning at home; a curriculum meeting, newsletter information and additional online material followed. These gave families concrete ways to connect home activities with the preschool day.

Self-care needed greater consistency. In November 2023, children knew when to wash their hands, but reminders about tissues and covering coughs were uneven. Staff communication supported supervision, and safeguarding and first-aid training took place regularly at that time.

The address is Chelford C of E Primary School, Oak Road, Chelford, Macclesfield, SK11 9AY.

In November 2023, the preschool operated Monday to Friday throughout the year, with sessions running from 9.15am to 3.15pm. It also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time. These are dated arrangements, rather than a current booking offer.

The school-site address does not confer a Reception place. Preschool attendance does not guarantee admission.

• Protecting concentration. In November 2023, some stories coincided with children joining or leaving, disrupting attention. Ask how activities and daily transitions now work together.
• Hygiene habits. The November 2023 improvement priorities included more consistent encouragement to use tissues and cover coughs. This matters alongside the handwashing routines children already understood.
• School admission. Sharing a school address should not be treated as an admissions advantage. Plan the Reception application separately from the preschool choice.

Chelford suits families seeking a small preschool setting with practical learning and preparation for school. Its November 2023 examples are appealingly concrete: experimenting with ice, strengthening hands through dough and learning to settle disagreements. The balance is clear, with concentration during activities and consistent hygiene reminders the two improvement priorities from that visit.