Tiggywinkles Pre-School and Playgroup

Chalk outlines of feet became a lesson in size at Tiggywinkles: in January 2022, children compared their drawings with an adult’s larger footprint. That small example captures the play-led learning observed in January 2022 at this Dartford setting, based at Joydens Wood Community Centre, Birchwood Drive, DA2 7NE, with capacity for 36 children.

At its January 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that staff obtained specialist help and used additional funding effectively for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Two improvement points deserve attention: abrupt changes between activities and fewer staff exchanges for some quieter children.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care, so play must serve a purpose beyond keeping children occupied. In January 2022, staff selected activities around the next steps children needed to take, with resources shaped by their interests and learning needs.

Stories also prompted children’s ideas. In January 2022, a conversation about foods in a book led children to propose smelling them, which staff planned for the following day. Outdoor games gave children opportunities for energetic play. Family photographs and activities exploring different cultures helped children consider both shared experiences and differences.

In January 2022, staff comforted distressed children with physical affection and gentle reassurance. They explained ways to settle disagreements, helping children practise sharing and taking turns rather than simply stopping a dispute.

Staff training and reviews of practice supported work on individual needs at that time. During the pandemic, recorded stories had helped maintain contact with children. However, in January 2022, quieter children sometimes received less adult attention, making the balance between responding to distress and noticing less vocal children an important consideration.

In January 2022, children attending were aged two to four. Opening hours were 9am to midday, Monday to Friday, during term time. These are dated operating details, rather than a current booking promise.

At that time, Tiggywinkles received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. Its community-centre address in Dartford provides the practical location anchor for families considering it.

• Finishing play. In January 2022, changes to group activities sometimes interrupted children before they could finish. Advance warning matters for children absorbed in an activity.
• Quieter children. Some children had fewer opportunities for conversation with staff in January 2022. On a visit, ask how practitioners now notice children who rarely approach an adult, and how the current attendance and funding arrangements work.

Tiggywinkles suits families who value the learning through ordinary play, children’s ideas and support for managing feelings observed in January 2022. The January 2022 examples give substance to that character: comparing chalk drawings, planning a food-smelling activity inspired by a story and practising kindness. The balance is clear, too. Smooth transitions and attention to quieter children are the areas to weigh alongside those strengths.