Playdays Pre-school

Lavender mixed into pretend tea, number tiles used for jumping and notes written to families give Playdays Pre-school its character: play with conversation and practical learning woven through it. These were features of daily life in May 2024. The setting is on Remembrance Road in Coventry and has capacity for 24 children.

At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Playdays Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), were progressing well. Children attending then were aged two to four. The clearest reservation concerned relationships between parents and their child's key person.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, care and development, bringing those strands together in their daily experiences. In May 2024, Playdays put language development at the centre of its play-based curriculum. Favourite books and interests such as travel shaped activities, giving staff familiar subjects through which to extend children's vocabulary.

A pretend ice-cream activity illustrates the method. Children added toppings to cones containing shaving foam, while adults expanded a child's single-word response into a fuller description. Conversation accompanied the activity rather than becoming a separate lesson.

Outside, children combined herbs and water in teapots and described the scent of lavender. Throwing beanbags and frisbees towards targets developed movement skills; jumping across number tiles connected counting with physical play. These May 2024 examples show how the outdoor area supported several kinds of learning within the same experience.

In May 2024, staff used observations of what children already knew to plan their next learning experiences. The manager also worked with external professionals to support children with SEND, and an early years consultant helped review practice and identify improvements. Staff received training both online and in-house.

Independence had practical expression: children selected activities, managed personal care and poured drinks at snack time. Older children made written messages for their families, linking early writing with something meaningful to them. Preparation for school also included sharing resources and taking turns.

Milk and fruit featured at snack time in May 2024, alongside discussion of healthy food choices and toothbrushing. A sensory healthy-eating programme encouraged children to explore foods.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted asked Playdays to strengthen its key-person arrangements because some parents did not know which practitioner held that role for their child. That matters: a clear relationship gives parents a direct connection with the adult supporting their child's learning.

The address is Remembrance Road, Coventry, CV3 3DG.

In May 2024, attendance operated on weekdays during school terms, with sessions running from 8.45am to 11.45am and from midday to 3pm. These were separate morning and afternoon patterns, rather than a single continuous day.

Funded early education for children aged two, three and four formed part of the May 2024 provision. Families considering this pattern should weigh the term-time calendar alongside the session length.

• Knowing the key person. Parent relationships were the improvement priority in May 2024. During a visit, ask how introductions and ongoing contact now work.
• Session fit. The May 2024 pattern comprised morning and afternoon sessions during term time. How do today's attendance arrangements fit your working hours and childcare needs?

Playdays' May 2024 provision suited families seeking morning or afternoon preschool sessions, with language learning threaded through play. Its May 2024 practice connected conversation, outdoor movement and growing independence through concrete activities. The parent relationship with the key person deserves close attention when choosing it.