Heydays Preschool

School life was already part of the preschool week at Heydays: in July 2023, older children spent a day each week at the on-site school, listening to stories in its library and sharing lunchtime with schoolchildren. That gave the next stage of education a familiar setting.

Heydays Preschool has capacity for 26 children aged 24 to 60 months, on the Four Marks Primary School site in Alton. At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and judged safeguarding effective, while calling for more opportunities for children to solve problems independently and more precisely targeted staff development.

In July 2023, pretend holidays prompted conversations about transport and other countries, while an imaginary ice cream shop gave children opportunities to negotiate roles. Play connected conversation with cooperation.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the July 2023 examples included physical play, early writing and everyday independence. Water-spraying activities exercised hands and fingers, sand provided a surface for patterns, and children added written messages to their artwork.

Outdoors in July 2023, children balanced along planks supported by large tyres and worked together to move trikes onto grassy slopes. These were practical opportunities to practise balance, strength and teamwork. The teaching limitation mattered too: adults sometimes directed activities too closely, leaving children insufficient thinking time.

In July 2023, staff brought children's home traditions and languages into play, making family experience part of preschool life. Children settled comfortably and formed friendships. Everyday routines also encouraged independence: opening lunch boxes, peeling fruit and washing hands gave children responsibilities they could manage themselves.

Communication with families in July 2023 included updates about learning and guidance for continuing activities at home. Staff also exchanged information and practice with the on-site school. The combination connected children's experiences across home, preschool and their next educational stage.

The address is c/o Four Marks Primary School, Kitwood Road, Four Marks, Alton, GU34 5AS. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with closure during school holidays. Families needing holiday childcare must plan around that calendar.

In July 2023, Wednesday attendance was restricted to three- and four-year-olds, and the preschool provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These are dated arrangements.

Sharing a school site does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still need to use the local authority admissions process.

• Independent thinking. In July 2023, adults sometimes stepped in too readily during learning. On a visit, ask how staff now give children time to attempt solutions before offering help.
• The preschool week. Term-time opening means school holidays need a separate childcare plan. For a younger child, ask how the July 2023 Wednesday age restriction relates to the attendance pattern you want to book.
• School familiarity. Weekly school days for older children in July 2023 included library stories and shared lunches. This offered familiarity with school routines, but attendance does not secure a Reception place.

Heydays suits families seeking term-time preschool care on a primary school site. Its July 2023 strengths were concrete: imaginative play, physical challenges and opportunities to practise independence. The counterweight was teaching that sometimes needed to leave more space for children's own thinking. That balance gives families a useful starting point for assessing the preschool today.