Boxmoor Hall Pre School

Churchyard flowers, pedestrian crossings and sand play gave children practical reasons to talk, explore and learn at Boxmoor Hall Pre School in December 2023. Everyday experiences carried the learning. Based at Hemel Hempstead Sports Centre on Park Road, the setting has capacity for 28 children.

At its 5 December 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good. Children attending then were aged 2 to 5; the strongest detail concerns individual attention, language development and learning beyond the setting.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care: here, the December 2023 examples included exploring materials, discussing quantities and practising road safety. Sand play prompted children to describe textures and experiment with unfamiliar vocabulary. Staff extended those conversations, giving children opportunities to put new words to use.

Mathematics also moved beyond reciting numbers. In December 2023, children linked written numerals with quantities, and those ready for a further challenge explored larger numbers and estimated amounts. Activities combined adult guidance with children's own choices.

Local walks brought different learning opportunities. During that December visit, children noticed flowers in a churchyard and discussed nearby Christmas trees and lights. Using a pedestrian crossing became a practical lesson in waiting for traffic and operating the crossing button.

At the December 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described staff adapting resources to individual needs, including SEND, working with parents and professionals, and responding patiently to children who communicated without speech. These findings matter for families whose children need additional help to participate or express themselves.

In December 2023, handovers with carers helped staff respond to changes in children's daily needs. Personal care respected children's dignity, while support came from both their key person and other practitioners. Staff supervision provided time to discuss children's needs, concerns and training.

There was a clear weakness during changes of activity. In December 2023, several adults sometimes concentrated on preparing individual children, leaving others with too little support while they waited. Smoother transitions were the required improvement.

The address is Hemel Hempstead Sports Centre, Park Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JS.

In December 2023, opening hours were 9am to 1pm on Monday and Tuesday, and 9am to 12.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday, during term time. These were daytime opening windows rather than evidence of separate bookable morning or afternoon sessions. Funded early education was provided then for children aged two, three and four.

• Changes of activity. December 2023 practice left some children waiting with insufficient staff attention. During a visit, ask how practitioners now support the whole group while preparing children to go outside.
• Term-time attendance. The December 2023 pattern covered four weekdays and ended around lunchtime. How do today's hours and funded attendance arrangements compare with that pattern?

Boxmoor Hall Pre School suits families drawn to preschool learning built around conversation, practical mathematics and local exploration. Its December 2023 practice gives concrete examples of personalised care, alongside a specific concern about transitions. The attendance pattern at that time suited families seeking term-time daytime care.