Tiddlywinks Pre School, Bessacarr

Storybook fruit, singing with babies and outdoor contact between siblings give Tiddlywinks Pre School, Bessacarr its character in May 2024. At its 20 May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective. The picture includes practical learning opportunities alongside two clear priorities: giving children more support during everyday routines and carrying targeted communication strategies into free play.

At 8 Bawtry Road in Doncaster, the setting has capacity for 32 children. Children attending in May 2024 were aged 0 to 4; that age range describes the inspection period.

In May 2024, The Very Hungry Caterpillar prompted a fruit activity adapted to different stages of development: older children tackled simple sums, younger children counted, and children with SEND chose a named fruit from two options. One story became several routes into learning.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2024 examples brought those strands together through stories, counting, conversation and physical play. Staff paused while reading so children could supply familiar language, then connected letter sounds with fruit and objects around the room.

Babies' play included Row, row, row your boat, sung while a baby used a rocker. Outdoors in May 2024, a protected enclosure separated babies who were not walking from more active children, while older babies joined the main play space under supervision. Children rode trikes and cars in a designated area and watered vegetables and flowers they had planted. These were opportunities for movement and looking after living things.

In May 2024, staff helped babies build attachments and supported children to recognise emotions, share and take turns. Younger children also had opportunities to see older siblings outside, bringing familiar relationships into the nursery day.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that personalised SEND plans worked well in structured activities, but targeted communication support was used inconsistently during free play. The distinction matters: support needs to reach the moments when children choose their own activity, as well as adult-led learning.

During May 2024 routines, snack supervision left less opportunity to help children practise tasks such as spreading butter on rolls. Getting outdoor clothes in the conservatory also became hurried, reducing individual help. These were the practical situations behind the priority to improve independence-building interactions.

The address is 8 Bawtry Road, Doncaster, DN4 5NW. In May 2024, the pre-school operated on weekdays throughout the year apart from bank holidays, with session times of 7.30am to 6pm.

At that time, it provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That describes its provision in May 2024 rather than establishing today's funding or booking arrangements.

• Everyday independence. May 2024 snack and outdoor-clothing routines left children with less individual support. On a visit, ask how staff now use these moments to help children do things for themselves.
• Communication beyond planned activities. Targeted SEND strategies were inconsistent in free play in May 2024. Discuss how an individual child's communication plan follows them through their chosen activities.
• Your attendance pattern. The May 2024 timetable covered weekdays and year-round operation. What current session choices, funded arrangements and meal or consumables terms would apply to your child?

Tiddlywinks merits consideration by families who value story-based activities and opportunities for babies and older children to spend time together. Its May 2024 inspection gives a balanced picture: a Good judgement, with specific work needed on routine interactions and communication support during free play. Those practical details are the most useful starting points for a visit.