Forest Bears Pre-School

Daily yoga, bicycle play and a book-filled quiet tent give Forest Bears Pre-School a recognisable character in its February 2023 account. Based at Forest Community Centre in Bordon, it has capacity for 30 children. Children attending in February 2023 were aged two to four; that is a dated age range.

At its 21 February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and identified support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) as a strength. The practical appeal lies in the detail: physical activity, creative play and help with everyday independence.

In February 2023, children rode bicycles, practised ball skills and ran in the garden, alongside daily yoga involving different poses. Movement had several forms, giving children opportunities to practise balance as well as active outdoor play.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. In February 2023, its everyday expression included purposeful mark-making in the craft area: children made cards for Mother's Day and experimented with patterns. Writing had a reason behind it.

Community involvement also featured that February. Children recalled planting bulbs with community members and used photographs to revisit the experience. This connected an activity with people beyond their usual nursery group.

In February 2023, picture sequences helped children with speech delays understand routines, with parents using similar approaches at home. Staff shared emerging needs with the special educational needs coordinator and families, linking nursery support with home life.

A quiet tent containing books gave children somewhere to settle their emotions that February. Staff also emphasised communication and managing personal care, while family movie night offered parents an opportunity to meet one another.

Breakfast was provided in February 2023, and children brought packed lunches. Conversations about lunch did not develop children's understanding of how food and drink affect their bodies. Staff development also needed attention: monitoring did not identify individual areas for improvement precisely enough.

The address is Forest Community Centre, Pinehill Road, Bordon, GU35 0BS.

In February 2023, attendance was term-time, with sessions from 8.30am to 3pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 12.30pm on Friday. The shorter Friday mattered for families planning care across a working week.

At that time, the pre-school received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated funding position, rather than a current entitlement offer.

• The Friday pattern. February 2023 sessions finished earlier on Fridays. At a visit, ask how the present attendance pattern would fit your working week.
• Food education. In February 2023, lunchtime discussion missed opportunities to explain healthy choices. Explore how food activities now build children's understanding.
• Staff development. February 2023 monitoring needed greater precision. Ask how individual feedback now improves practitioners' interactions with children.

Forest Bears suits families who value creative activity, movement and practical independence. Its February 2023 pattern combined longer Monday-to-Thursday sessions with a shorter Friday session, making the historical offer relevant to families seeking either pattern. The dated strengths sit alongside clear questions about food education and staff development.