Busy Bodies Pre School

A snail beside the back door became a reason to take magnifying glasses outside at Busy Bodies Pre School. That November 2023 example captures a preschool day shaped by children's curiosity, with outdoor exploration alongside stories and practical independence.

At its November 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Busy Bodies operates at Gwinear Village Hall in Gwinear, Hayle, Cornwall TR27 5JL, with capacity for 20 children; those attending in November 2023 were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the November 2023 activities included stories, physical play and learning to manage everyday tasks.

During that month, children's interest in a snail led to searches for worms and woodlice beneath plant pots. Outdoor play happened daily, with different bikes giving children opportunities to practise movement and control. A visiting sports coach also introduced ball skills and using a tennis bat.

Books connected preschool and home. In November 2023, children selected a book to borrow each week, and families completed questionnaires about their child's response. Children also explored their individual features through mirrors and drawing, talking about differences in noses and eyebrows.

Learning was practical. In November 2023, construction activities introduced shapes, while filling and emptying water jugs prompted discussion about size and capacity. The November 2023 improvement priorities were stronger monitoring and support for teaching, and more opportunities to extend number knowledge through counting and everyday interactions.

In November 2023, staff offered cuddles when children needed comfort and used their knowledge of families to adapt care. Taking turns, sharing resources and putting on coats formed part of the day, giving children practice in handling small responsibilities themselves.

Communication was personal: in November 2023, parents received spoken feedback after sessions and photographs through a secure online service. Support for additional needs included individual plans and referrals to outside professionals. These were concrete routes for addressing a child's needs, rather than leaving concerns within the preschool alone.

During the same month, staff undertook daily risk assessments and helped children understand safe walking in rural surroundings. Preparation for school included listening to stories, waiting during group activities and asking for help.

At the November 2023 inspection, the preschool operated during term time only, with sessions from 9am to midday on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 9am to 3pm on Tuesday and Thursday. This combined shorter mornings with longer days on specified weekdays.

The Wednesday session also hosted a community group for toddlers and their carers in November 2023. That provided a shared activity for adults and younger children alongside the preschool's usual provision.

In November 2023, the preschool received early years funding for free places for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position, rather than a promise of eligibility for an individual child.

• Teaching consistency. November 2023 improvement priorities covered staff support and monitoring. At a visit, ask how teaching is now reviewed across the preschool.
• Everyday number learning. Counting was not consistently woven into November 2023 interactions. Ask how staff now extend number learning during play.
• Attendance fit. The November 2023 timetable combined three mornings with two longer days, during term time. Does the current booking pattern fit your family's week?

The November 2023 picture at Busy Bodies suits families interested in a village-hall preschool with practical learning, outdoor play and a connection between books at preschool and home. Its November 2023 attendance model served both morning-session families and those seeking longer term-time days. The Good judgement sits alongside specific improvement priorities: consistency of teaching and everyday numeracy deserve attention when weighing the setting.