Jack in the Box Pre-School

Heavy tyres, balancing beams and large chalk boards give Jack in the Box Pre-School’s June 2023 outdoor activities a practical character: children exercised their bodies while practising balance and early writing movements. At its 14 June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good overall.

The pre-school has capacity for 26 children and is based at Hurst Green Primary School in Halesowen. Children attending in June 2023 were aged two to four; that age range describes the inspection period.

In June 2023, activities covered the early years foundation stage, the framework for children’s learning, development and care. Staff assessed what children could already do, then shared their next learning steps across the team. This gave activities a purpose beyond keeping children occupied.

Outdoor play involved moving heavy tyres, balancing on wooden beams and making marks on large chalk boards. Indoors, children explored cultural differences through food tasting and dressing up. A doll’s house included representations of different family structures, including same-sex families, bringing those conversations into play.

The star of the week recognition celebrated children’s behaviour. Sand timers helped children understand when their turn would come. However, adult-led activities sometimes stopped short of stretching children’s abilities, and staff sometimes restricted children’s ideas by preventing resources from being moved between activities. Both challenge and freedom to direct play needed attention.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised the care and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with staff providing individual support receiving relevant training.

In June 2023, staff helped children work through disagreements and encouraged kindness towards others. Parents received feedback each day about development and achievements, were invited to contribute their child’s achievements, and received invitations to stay-and-play sessions. That made communication a conversation rather than simply an update.

Children also visited a local school’s playground weekly and joined teachers for stories in June 2023. Sharing their development with the school helped prepare the next stage of learning. Snacks included fruit and vegetables, with children helping distribute them to friends.

The address is c/o of Hurst Green Primary School, Narrow Lane, Halesowen, B62 9NZ.

In June 2023, the pre-school operated during school terms. Its sessions ran Monday to Thursday, 9am to 11.45am and 1pm to 3pm, with Friday sessions from 9am to 1pm. Out-of-school sessions ran Monday to Friday, 8am to 8.45am and 3.15pm to 5.30pm. These are the attendance arrangements at that date.

Funded early education for children aged two, three and four was offered in June 2023. Being based at Hurst Green Primary School does not guarantee a Reception place; families still use the local authority admissions process.

• Challenge and child-led play. In June 2023, some activities did not stretch children far enough, while restrictions on moving resources interrupted their ideas. During a visit, ask how staff now extend learning while allowing children to shape their play.
• Term-time attendance. The June 2023 arrangements combined shorter pre-school sessions with out-of-school care. What current attendance pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your family’s week?
• School transition. Weekly playground visits and stories with teachers supported familiarity in June 2023. Keep that preparation separate from the Reception application: nursery attendance does not secure a school place.

Jack in the Box’s June 2023 picture combines purposeful physical play, daily parent communication and practical preparation for school. Its attendance arrangements then suited families seeking morning or afternoon pre-school sessions, alongside those using out-of-school care. The balance between adult direction and children’s own ideas remains the central point to explore.