Ladybird Pre-school

A shared church hall, a designated baby area and a garden used in all weather give Ladybird Pre-school its character. Based at St Laurence Church Hall in Coventry, this charity-run setting brings different ages together during the day rather than organising everything around separate rooms. There are 40 places in total. For families who like a shared setting, that arrangement is a central part of the choice.

At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Ladybird Good overall, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received good support. Those judgements describe that visit. The current offer includes a key person for each child, independently accessible resources and outdoor play throughout the seasons.

Attendance is term-time, with morning and afternoon sessions as well as longer days on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Rooms and Ages

The indoor hall can be rearranged around children's interests and needs. Babies have designated space both inside and outdoors, while children of different ages can interact during the day. This is a shared environment with provision for babies, so the organisation of space matters more than a list of age-labelled rooms.

In July 2023, babies were cared for in a defined, cosy part of the setting. Staff encouraged reaching and stretching towards objects and offered physical comfort when needed. These details show how the space was used at that time: the emphasis was on gentle interaction and opportunities for movement.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, children learn through play alongside activities guided or led by adults. Children can choose resources independently, giving them a practical role in deciding what to explore. Adult involvement adds another layer to those choices.

In July 2023, pretend hairdressing became an opportunity to discuss differences in hair and introduce descriptive language. Staff also demonstrated everyday tasks, including helping children serve their own snacks. Learning was woven into play and self-care rather than confined to a separate activity.

The July 2023 inspection identified a need to use observations of children's individual interests and ways of learning more fully when planning what comes next. The distinction matters: noticing an interest is the starting point; using it to extend a child's learning is the next step.

Outdoor and Community Life

Grass makes up much of the outdoor area, and children go outside in different weather conditions. The space includes opportunities to explore nature and wildlife alongside equipment for physical activity. Muddy clothing is an expected consequence. Clothes that children can manage themselves, together with wellington boots and a suitable coat, support participation rather than keeping them on the sidelines.

Celebration activities include crafts and food tasting associated with Easter and Diwali. These are among the activities covered by the optional consumables contribution, so families' choice about paying or supplying items also extends to celebrations.

Each child has a key person who plans their learning, makes observations and assessments, and updates parents regularly. That gives families an identified member of staff connecting what happens during the day with the child's next steps. The team includes two Early Years Teachers, while the manager holds the designated safeguarding lead role.

A SENCO coordinates additional-needs support. The setting has a SEND policy shared with families and staff, and works with speech and language therapists and early-years SEND services to plan support. These are concrete mechanisms for discussing a child's needs and arranging help, rather than a general promise that one approach will suit everyone.

Independence also shapes practical care. Children need indoor slippers or pumps, and footwear they can put on themselves. Encouragement with coats and changing into wellington boots makes dressing part of learning. In July 2023, staff supported children with sharing, taking turns and managing feelings; children also helped put resources away.

Snacks take account of dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances, and are covered by a separate optional contribution rather than education funding. Families choosing to supply their own provide a prepared snack along with the other specified items.

Sessions and Attendance

Ladybird operates from St Laurence Church Hall, 142 Old Church Road, Coventry, CV6 7ED. Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am, Monday to Friday; afternoon sessions run from 12.15pm to 3.15pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Longer attendance options run from 8am to 3.20pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with 8am to 11.45am on Tuesday and Friday. Another option starts at 8.15am and ends at 3.15pm on the longer days, or 11.45am on Tuesday and Friday. Families using the universal morning pattern can also add lunchtime and an afternoon, from 11.45am to 3.15pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The setting tries to accommodate individual session requirements.

All these options are term-time only. An initial afternoon allocation can carry priority for a later morning or full-time place when one becomes available. This is an allocation rule, rather than an indication of current vacancies. Enquiries can be made by telephone, text or email.

Funding and Paid Extras

Universal and 2-year-old entitlements are offered, alongside extended entitlement hours. Additional attendance beyond a child's funded entitlement can be paid for privately. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation; the sessions and costs page sets out the attendance and payment arrangements.

Snacks and non-food consumables are charged separately through an optional termly contribution. Families can instead supply the specified items, including wipes, tissues, suncream and hand sanitiser; choosing that route does not affect the child's place. The choice is recorded in the termly funding agreement.

Invoices are issued each term for private fees and additional hours. Charges remain payable for allocated sessions when a child is absent, so the agreed pattern carries a continuing cost. Ending or changing the contract requires written notice of one month, or until the current term ends if that is sooner.

• Shared space for babies. Baby areas sit within the wider indoor and outdoor environment. On a visit, how are quieter baby activities organised alongside older children's play?
• Planning from individual interests. The July 2023 improvement point concerned using observations more fully. Discuss how a child's key person now turns an interest into a planned next step.
• A varied weekly timetable. Longer days are offered on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, while Tuesday and Friday finish in the morning. Match the whole week's pattern to your family's commitments.
• Paying or supplying consumables. The contribution is optional, with a supply-your-own alternative. Allergy-affected families should confirm current snack practice when discussing that choice.

Ladybird suits families seeking term-time mornings, afternoons or a combination including longer days on selected weekdays. Its shared hall, designated baby areas and grassy outdoor space make the daily arrangement clear, while key-person communication and the SENCO provide identifiable routes for support. The July 2023 planning concern deserves attention alongside the Good judgement. The strongest fit is a family comfortable with mixed-age interaction and a timetable that changes across the week.