St Michael's Pre-school Nursery

Dinosaur skeletons, child-built theatre and long community walks give St Michael's Pre-school Nursery a recognisable character. In February 2024, children's interests shaped practical experiences, while close relationships with staff supported their confidence. This is a preschool account with plenty of substance behind it.

Ofsted rated the nursery Outstanding at its February 2024 inspection. Based at the Recreation Centre in Dalston, it has capacity for 26 children aged two to five. Its term-time opening pattern runs across Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the February 2024 activities brought together physical movement, imaginative play and opportunities to explore children's interests. Staff planned successive steps in learning, returning to existing skills before introducing further challenges. Planned activities and spontaneous conversations served the same learning intentions.

Dinosaurs became more than a passing enthusiasm. In February 2024, children explored a large dinosaur skeleton and compared it with real animal skeletons, giving their interest concrete objects to investigate. Children also initiated their own theatre, arranging audience chairs and gathering props. That gave them a practical reason to exchange ideas and work together.

Community walks added physical challenge. In February 2024, children negotiated large fences during lengthy outings, putting balance, coordination and climbing into use beyond the nursery. These experiences connected physical learning with the surrounding community rather than keeping it confined to indoor activities.

At the February 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that secure relationships supported children's emotional development, tailored interventions helped children needing additional support make progress, and safeguarding arrangements were effective. The practical significance is the connection between relationships and learning: staff understood children individually, rather than treating support as a separate activity.

In February 2024, key persons knew the agreed strategies for individual children and put them into practice. Staff modelled considerate behaviour in their interactions, helping children understand how to treat others and recognise feelings.

Support for practitioners also had a clear structure in February 2024. Supervision considered both staff practice and wellbeing, while professional development drew on research and was introduced thoughtfully. This placed attention on the adults' work as well as the children's activities.

The address is Recreation Centre, Recreation Field, The Green, Dalston, Carlisle, CA5 7QB. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during term time; the nursery closes on Tuesday, Thursday and during school holidays. In February 2024, sessions ran from 8.30am to 3.30pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during term time. Families need an attendance arrangement that fits those particular days.

In February 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That dated offer is relevant for families considering preschool care alongside the nursery's term-time calendar.

• Three-day weekly calendar. Opening is confined to Monday, Wednesday and Friday in term time. This suits families whose childcare needs fit those days and who can accommodate school-holiday closures.
• Learning through physical challenge. February 2024 activities included long community walks and climbing over fences. Consider how that practical, active approach fits your child's interests.
• Funding arrangements. Funded early education was offered in February 2024. When visiting, what funded attendance arrangements and charges for meals or consumables would apply to your child now?

St Michael's suits families seeking term-time preschool care on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with an interest in active, child-led experiences. The February 2024 picture combines carefully sequenced learning with room for children to develop their own ideas. Its strongest appeal is that connection between purposeful teaching, close relationships and hands-on exploration.