Newbold Parish Church Pre-School

Scooter play, kitchen role-play and children learning to manage their own clothes give Newbold Parish Church Pre-School a practical, play-led character in its November 2024 snapshot. Based at The Eagle Club in Newbold, Chesterfield, it has capacity for 50 children.

At its November 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. The children attending then were aged two to four; independence and relationships featured prominently in their day.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines are opportunities to develop skills. In November 2024, younger children practised spreading pretend food in the kitchen role-play area, while older children brought pretend ice creams to staff. These activities gave children ways to recreate familiar experiences.

Outside, the November 2024 activities included scooters and a small slide. Younger children practised waiting for a turn, while older children invited adults into their scooter games. Independence also had practical expression: children attempted peeling fruit and removing boots or dressing-up clothes themselves.

Language activities in November 2024 included recognising words with matching initial sounds. Remembrance Day discussions introduced the meaning of poppies, followed by a silence. These were concrete examples of language learning and participation in shared occasions, rather than a separate programme of clubs.

In November 2024, key people knew children's interests and learning priorities, and staff talked with parents about activities and next steps. However, that knowledge did not consistently reach colleagues, leaving some children with less tailored help during play. The improvement needed was better communication across the team.

Sensory toys had been bought using additional funding in November 2024. Daily toothbrushing also formed part of the routine, following parental feedback; children had individual toothbrushes and reminders about brushing different parts of their teeth. Snacks and drinks, alongside lunchtime conversations about food and energy, brought health into everyday activities.

The address is The Eagle Club, St Johns Road, Newbold, Chesterfield, S41 8QN.

In November 2024, attendance ran Monday to Friday during term time, with sessions from 8am to 3pm. Funded early education was provided then for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That term-time pattern is the relevant historical attendance context for families comparing provision around the school calendar.

• Sharing learning priorities. In November 2024, key-person knowledge was not consistently passed to other staff. Ask how colleagues now share each child's next steps during everyday play.
• Activities for different ages. Some activities in November 2024 were beyond younger children's stage of development. Ask for examples of how the same activity is adapted for younger and older children.
• Planning attendance. What session patterns and funded-hours arrangements can the pre-school offer for your child's intended start date?

The November 2024 picture suits families interested in practical independence, imaginative play and regular conversations with staff. Its term-time daytime pattern would have fitted parents seeking care around the school calendar. The key reservations concern how consistently children's learning priorities reached the whole team and how well activities matched different ages. Those are useful subjects for a visit, alongside the everyday experiences that give this pre-school its character.