St John's Pre-School Nursery

Growing peas, shopping for ingredients by bus and taking learning home with Bertie bear give this Winsford pre-school a practical, everyday character. These were features of its July 2022 provision, rather than a promise about today's activities.

St John's Pre-School Nursery has capacity for 44 children aged 24 to 60 months. Ofsted judged it Good on 14 July 2022. The useful detail beneath that grade is a combination of hands-on learning, close relationships and two clear improvement priorities: teaching consistency and healthy eating.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning and care, bringing communication, physical development and learning through play into the day. In July 2022, learning was organised so that children could build their knowledge gradually, with counting and number ideas woven into activities.

Outdoor experiences gave abstract ideas something tangible. In July 2022, children grew vegetables and picked peas, connecting food with how plants develop; wooden blocks offered climbing and balancing challenges. Taking turns with coloured water also gave children opportunities to practise sharing.

Community experiences extended this learning beyond the nursery. In July 2022, children posted a letter at a nearby post office and travelled by bus to buy supermarket ingredients. These were practical reasons to explore the world around them.

At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well tailored, including individual plans that helped them progress.

In July 2022, the key-worker arrangement helped staff understand individual children and support their emotions. Parents received daily learning updates, while Borrow me bags and Bertie bear extended opportunities for learning at home. School transition included visits and discussions with local primary schools.

Snack routines also encouraged independence in July 2022: children washed their hands, selected fruit and cheese using tongs, then cleared up. However, healthy eating was not encouraged consistently, limiting support for children's oral health.

The address is 81 Delamere Street, Winsford, CW7 2LX. Opening hours are 8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays. This timetable matters for families whose working day continues beyond mid-afternoon.

In July 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Teaching consistency. In July 2022, staff supervision did not consistently identify weaknesses in practice, leaving some interactions uneven. Ask how supervision and peer observation now help practitioners improve their teaching.
• Food from home. The July 2022 improvement priorities included healthier eating. Discuss the current approach to drinks and snacks when considering a place.
• Term-time timetable. The 3pm finish and school-holiday closures require a childcare plan that fits around those hours.

For families seeking term-time care within an 8am-to-3pm opening window, St John's merits consideration. Its July 2022 picture combined practical outdoor and community experiences with learning that continued at home. Teaching consistency and healthy eating remain the most useful subjects for a visit discussion.