St Nicholas and St Faith Preschool

Movement gives this Saltash preschool its character: morning mini movers sessions and fitness activities to take home featured in January 2023. The setting has capacity for 24 children aged 24 to 60 months, at Alexandra Square.

At its January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good, found that children made good progress and judged safeguarding effective. The strongest practical distinction is its term-time calendar, with a shorter opening day on Mondays.

In January 2023, the preschool used the main church hall at St Nicholas and St Faith. Children could choose toys and activities, share imaginative rescue games and explore ideas such as ice melting. These examples put conversation and shared play alongside early learning.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: play, communication and growing practical skills belong together. In January 2023, staff planned small-group activities around children's ages and learning needs. However, some play periods ended too quickly for children to sustain attention and explore an idea further.

Physical activity had several forms in January 2023. Morning mini movers sessions encouraged movement, while the fun fit programme developed coordination as part of the county Healthy Movers initiative. Dancing, ball play and balancing gave children different ways to practise controlling their movements.

In January 2023, children helped each other with routines, including tidying toys. A worry elephant gave them a way to share concerns and work through feelings with staff. Emotional expression had a concrete place in the day.

Home activities extended that work in January 2023: fitness backpacks encouraged movement beyond preschool, and busy bags offered threading and weaving to practise small hand movements. These gave families activities they could share with their children.

The January 2023 inspection also identified a need for more opportunities to manage personal tasks independently, including pouring drinks and collecting lunch bags. That matters alongside learning activities: everyday routines can give children opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.

Alexandra Square, Saltash, PL12 6AN is the preschool's address. It opens during term time and closes for school holidays. Opening hours are 8am to 1pm on Monday and 8am to 4pm from Tuesday to Friday, so the weekly pattern needs to fit a family's working arrangements.

In January 2023, the preschool provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of its funding offer.

• Time to stay with an activity. In January 2023, some play and group activities were too brief to develop sustained attention. On a visit, ask how the timetable now allows children to continue an absorbing activity.
• Everyday independence. January 2023 identified missed opportunities for children to handle personal tasks themselves. Ask how drinks, lunch bags and hygiene routines now build those skills.
• The Monday finish. Monday closes at 1pm, while the other weekdays close at 4pm. Families needing the same care hours throughout the week will need to account for that difference.

This preschool suits families seeking term-time care who can accommodate Monday's earlier finish. Its January 2023 picture combines movement, shared play and activities to take home. The two improvement priorities are practical ones: longer engagement in play and more independence in everyday routines.