Youlgrave Playschool

Sunflower planting, insect searches and sandcastle building give Youlgrave Playschool's May 2023 account a practical, outdoorsy character. Children explored living things and used their hands to investigate, build and create. These are concrete examples of learning through activity.

Ofsted rated the playschool Good at its 4 May 2023 inspection. It has 25 places in total and is based at Youlgrave Scout and Community Hall in Youlgrave. Children attending in May 2023 were aged 2 to 4; that age range belongs to the inspection period.

In May 2023, staff planned learning around children's interests and used assessments to decide their next steps. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the inspection-time examples included physical play, exploring nature and practising everyday skills.

Outdoors that May, children planted sunflowers and explained how to look after them. Magnifying glasses helped them examine insects, worms and snails. Sand play involved digging, raking and building, giving children opportunities to exercise strength and coordination. During an exercise activity, they felt their own heartbeats to explore how movement affects the body.

Independence also had tangible resources. In May 2023, children could pour drinks for themselves at a water station. Caring for toy babies gave staff an opportunity to discuss tooth care, connecting pretend play with personal routines.

At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described staff using their knowledge of individual children to plan support, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children sought comfort from familiar adults, making relationships an important part of that dated account.

Communication in May 2023 combined an online application with parents' evenings and stay-and-play sessions. Families therefore had both face-to-face and digital ways to discuss development. Joint picnics and community activities with the local school helped children become familiar with its people and surroundings before moving on.

The address is Youlgrave Scout and Community Hall, Alport Lane, Youlgrave, Bakewell, DE45 1WN.

In May 2023, attendance was during school terms, with sessions running Monday 8am to 4pm, Tuesday 9am to 1pm, Wednesday 8am to 5pm, Thursday 8am to 4.30pm and Friday 9am to 3.25pm. The different finishing times mattered for families arranging work and collection.

In May 2023, the playschool provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is an inspection-period funding position.

• Indoor routines. In May 2023, staff sometimes divided their attention between tasks during snack and group activities, reducing the consistency of interaction. A visit is an opportunity to ask how staff now organise these periods.
• Clear instructions and staff development. In May 2023, unclear signals about group time left some children unsure what to do, while coaching needed to strengthen staff confidence in extending learning. Ask how these two improvement priorities have been addressed.
• Your attendance pattern. The May 2023 timetable varied substantially across the week. Which current session pattern would fit your family's collection arrangements?

Youlgrave Playschool suits families drawn to practical nature exploration, everyday independence and communication with staff. Its May 2023 account combines these strengths with specific weaknesses in indoor routines, instructions and coaching. Those details give families a useful basis for considering the setting, while keeping the inspection-era experience separate from today's arrangements.