Horn's Mill Pre-School CIO

A storybook became a shopping trip, planted seeds prompted predictions, and snack time gave children responsibility for serving themselves. These were the practical learning experiences at Horn's Mill Pre-School CIO in March 2024. Everyday activities had a clear educational purpose.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Outstanding on 14 March 2024. Based at Horns Mill Primary School in Frodsham, it has 36 places in total; the children attending at that visit were aged two to four.

In March 2024, learning followed children's interests, with adults asking questions that encouraged them to explain their ideas. Planting seeds became an opportunity to discuss growth, sunlight and water. Mathematics also ran through ordinary activities: children counted fruit slices, compared quantities during water play and considered the shapes of planting pots.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, including learning through play. Here, in March 2024, stories connected imaginative play with experiences beyond the setting. Children acted out Handa's Surprise and visited shops to buy fruit featured in the story. That gave the book a tangible connection to everyday life.

Jugs and funnels supported experimentation with water. Adults introduced words for volume and shape as children poured, giving them language to explain what they were discovering. Visits to a local care home brought a different kind of learning: children took gifts and sang with residents, making contact with people of another generation.

At the March 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities were exceptionally well included and made excellent progress. Staff worked with external professionals to obtain additional help and chose training relevant to individual children's needs.

During March 2024, a daily yoga activity preceded snack time. Children chose fruit and cereals, shared serving bowls and poured their own milk. These small responsibilities gave them opportunities to practise independence and coordination.

Close working relationships with the primary school on the same site supported children's move to their next stage. This was a practical transition link, rather than an admissions entitlement.

The address is Horns Mill Primary School, Denbigh Close, Frodsham, WA6 0ED.

In March 2024, opening hours were 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The pre-school also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time.

Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place at the primary school. Families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Term-time attendance. The March 2024 opening pattern followed school terms. At a visit, ask how the current attendance arrangements would fit your working week and school holidays.
• School transition. Close links with the primary school supported transitions in March 2024. Treat that relationship as help with the move to school, while making a separate Reception application.

Horn's Mill merits consideration for families who value learning through practical tasks, stories and community contact. Its March 2024 educational picture was specific and purposeful: children explored quantities, connected books with shopping and practised serving themselves. The term-time pattern recorded then is a significant consideration for families planning care around the school calendar.