The Beagle Pre-School Northwich

In May 2022, this Northwich preschool had a wooden teepee for reading and an enclosed outdoor space. In May 2022, children could choose between indoor and outdoor activities, while playful counting and construction tasks shaped their learning.

The Beagle Pre-School Northwich accepts children aged two to five and is based on Darwin Street, CW8 1BN. At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged it Good overall, found safeguarding effective and praised the support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play supports learning alongside everyday routines and growing independence.

In May 2022, staff planned activities around children's interests and what they needed to learn next. Counting fish for a cardboard crocodile made mathematics playful; building with plastic bricks encouraged children to try different ideas. These were practical ways to connect learning with something children enjoyed.

Outdoor choices mattered too. In May 2022, the enclosed space supported physical play, and children could move between indoors and outdoors. Tadpoles prompted discussion about frogs' development, while a visiting crossing patrol worker introduced road safety. Large-brick tower building gave children opportunities to collaborate and try again when their constructions fell.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff adapted learning for children with SEND, used photographs to support communication and worked with speech and language therapists. Those concrete mechanisms matter more than a general promise of inclusion.

In May 2022, children formed attachments with staff and separated confidently from parents. Communication with families connected learning at preschool and home, including a toothbrushing song children continued singing with their families.

Independence was part of the day in May 2022: children practised managing coats and shoes, and older children chose snacks and poured drinks. The wooden teepee offered somewhere quieter to read.

Darwin Street, Northwich, CW8 1BN is the setting's address. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; it closes for school holidays. That calendar is a central consideration for working families.

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

At that time, it shared a site with a school, and children had friendly contact with older children, including siblings. Attending the preschool does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Family cultures. In May 2022, the improvement priority was to give children's own backgrounds and cultures more attention. Ask how families now contribute to this part of learning.
• Holiday cover. Term-time opening excludes school holidays. Families needing childcare throughout the year will need to account for those closures.
• Settling together. Confident separation was observed in May 2022. At a visit, ask how settling is tailored to your child's experience of being away from home.

For families whose childcare needs fit a term-time calendar and the 9am to 3pm opening window, this is a preschool to consider. Its May 2022 examples make the educational approach tangible: playful mathematics, indoor and outdoor choice, communication support and everyday independence. The improvement priority around children's family cultures deserves attention alongside those strengths.