St Mary's Preschool Oldswinford

Rhymes, imaginative play and conversations about protecting sea creatures give St Mary's Preschool Oldswinford its character in June 2026. This church-hall setting in Stourbridge has 43 places in total. In June 2026, children followed familiar routines and learned alongside children of different ages.

At its 10 June 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged all six evaluated areas to be at the Expected standard and safeguarding standards to be met. The central development priorities were sharper assessment, more responsive teaching during play and closer evaluation of staff practice.

In June 2026, children attending were aged 2 to 4. Younger and older children used different learning spaces, with group experiences matched to their developmental stage. Older children also helped younger friends with routines, giving mixed-age relationships a practical role in the day.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's development, learning and care. Here, June 2026 activities brought language and early mathematics into play: children explored rhyme and word sounds, compared amounts and invented stories while pretending to cook for friends.

Learning about the natural world included seasonal changes and life cycles. A discussion about marine pollution carried into children's play when they explained how plastic netting could trap a crab. This gave an abstract environmental topic a concrete connection to their own storytelling.

Teaching needed greater precision. In June 2026, assessment did not consistently translate into sufficiently individual planning, and staff sometimes missed chances to extend learning as play unfolded. The issue was how closely each experience matched what a particular child already understood.

At the June 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that children generally progressed, including those with SEND, and that support typically enabled children facing additional difficulties to join routines and activities. These findings sit alongside the need for more exact planning for individual learning needs.

In June 2026, staff worked with families and specialist professionals, including speech and language services, to review support. Some children received extra adult help or resources during group activities. Breathing exercises helped children manage their feelings, while additional support with separation helped some settle.

Food routines included adult supervision and attention to individual dietary needs in June 2026. Staff also worked with parents on healthy lunch boxes.

The address is St. Marys Church Hall, Rectory Road, Stourbridge, DY8 2HA.

In June 2026, opening hours were Monday to Friday, 9am to noon and noon to 3pm. That operating window is relevant to families planning daytime care around other commitments.

During the summer term described in June 2026, older children had additional emphasis on independence and preparation for school. Staff also shared information regularly with families, connecting children's experiences at the setting with support at home.

• Individual learning. June 2026 planning sometimes lacked enough detail about each child's next steps. Ask how staff now use assessment and respond to learning opportunities during play.
• Staff development. June 2026 monitoring and supervision needed closer attention to the impact of practice. Ask what changes have followed and how leaders evaluate them.
• Attendance pattern. The June 2026 operating window covered the morning and afternoon. Which booking pattern would fit your family's routine?

This setting suits families drawn to a church-hall preschool whose June 2026 practice emphasised communication and relationships between children of different ages. Its June 2026 picture combines familiar routines, imaginative learning and individual support with clear teaching priorities. It will most interest parents who value that approach and want greater precision in assessment and staff development.