Mollington Pre-School

Butterflies, recycled materials and towers representing flats give Mollington Pre-School's September 2023 learning a recognisable character: everyday discoveries became opportunities to explore families, numbers and the environment. The setting has capacity for 20 children at The Old School, Grove Road, Mollington, CH1 6LG.

At its September 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that tailored support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) helped children make good progress. Children attending then were aged 2 to 4.

In September 2023, the early years foundation stage, the framework covering children's learning, development and care, took practical shape through play, conversation and physical activity. The All About Me topic explored differences between children and their families; spotting butterflies outside prompted children to talk about family relationships.

Mathematics had concrete applications. Children compared hair and eye colours using a tally chart and constructed towers representing flats. Books, rhymes and songs supported conversation, while stories helped children connect ideas about different homes. Vocabulary teaching needed greater precision: planning did not consistently start from each child's existing understanding, so children did not always learn to use the new words they heard.

Outside, September 2023 activities included climbing large apparatus, negotiating balance beams and riding bicycles around the playground. Taking turns and avoiding other riders gave cooperation a practical purpose. Recycling lunch-box packaging and finding new uses for play equipment introduced care for the environment through children's own actions.

In September 2023, parents knew their child's key person and received communication that supported learning at home. Staff collaborated with families and other professionals on individual teaching and care routines for children with SEND, and undertook specialist training. Practitioners reported support from management and a positive team spirit.

Daily routines also built independence in September 2023: children managed their coats and used named trays for belongings. Lunchtime conversations connected handwashing and food choices with health. These were useful foundations for the move to school.

In its outcome dated 19 April 2024, Ofsted found that the setting had failed to notify a change of nominated individual, while confirming that the deputy manager, also the designated safeguarding lead, had received the required training. That dated finding matters alongside the earlier safeguarding judgement.

The address is The Old School, Grove Road, Mollington, CH1 6LG. In September 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. That timetable placed attendance within the school-day window rather than spanning early mornings and evenings.

In September 2023, the setting received funding for free early education for three- and four-year-olds. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Vocabulary development. September 2023 planning needed to connect new words more closely with children's existing knowledge. Ask how staff now assess understanding and help children use unfamiliar words.
• Governance notification. The 19 April 2024 outcome identified a failure to notify a change of nominated individual. Families should consider that later finding alongside the September 2023 judgement.
• Attendance fit. The September 2023 timetable was term-time, 9am to 3pm. Which current attendance arrangements would fit your family's working week?

Mollington's September 2023 account suits families who value practical early learning: counting through comparisons, exploring family relationships and developing physical confidence outdoors. Key-person communication and individual care planning added substance to that picture. The vocabulary-planning weakness and April 2024 notification finding deserve equal weight. For parents seeking term-time provision within the school day, the dated timetable provides a useful starting point.