Winshill Pre-School

In April 2025, hand bells, ice-bound toy animals and bike pathways gave Winshill Pre-School a recognisable character: learning through small, hands-on discoveries. It has capacity for 48 children and is based at The Towerview Primary School on Vancouver Drive in Burton-on-trent (DE15 0EZ).

At its April 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest practical thread was independence, from managing belongings to learning how to share.

In April 2025, the play-based curriculum emphasised communication and children's emotional development. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care; here, its everyday expression included counting through water play and exploring shapes through puzzles.

Songs and instruments gave language a practical setting: staff introduced ideas about speed while children played hand bells. An interest in ice prompted an activity with frozen toy animals. Trucks, diggers and small stones supported imaginary road building. These examples gave children objects to investigate and ideas to talk about.

Outside, April 2025 activities included riding bikes along pathways and crossing stepping stones, practising balance and coordination. A growing and planting area connected nature with where food comes from. However, activities did not consistently target each child's next learning step, and noise sometimes interrupted concentration. Enjoyment alone was not enough to make teaching precise.

In April 2025, staff comforted newcomers with smiles and hugs, while children chatted and played alongside adults. Parents contributed information about their child's existing abilities at the start, giving staff a starting point for planning.

At the April 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff acted promptly on developmental gaps and sought professional advice when needed for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Parents described regular conversations about daily activities.

Everyday care also supported independence in April 2025: children marked their attendance, put away coats and bags, practised hand washing and took turns. Staff discussed the benefits of healthy snacks. These routines helped children practise skills useful for the move to school.

In April 2025, attendance followed a Monday-to-Friday, term-time pattern, with sessions running from 8.45am to 3.15pm. This placed childcare within the school-term rhythm rather than a year-round arrangement.

At that time, the pre-school provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. The address is The Towerview Primary School on Vancouver Drive in Burton-on-trent (DE15 0EZ).

• Purposeful teaching. The April 2025 improvement action concerned matching activities more closely to children's next steps. During a visit, ask how staff choose the next challenge for an individual child.
• Noise and attention. In April 2025, noise sometimes distracted children who found sustained attention difficult. Ask how quieter play is organised alongside busy activities.
• Term-time planning. The April 2025 attendance pattern followed school terms. How would the session pattern and holiday arrangements fit your family's childcare needs?

The provision observed in April 2025 would suit families drawn to practical play and growing independence, whose needs matched the term-time daytime sessions operating then. The Good judgement came with clear reservations about teaching precision and noise. Water play, planting and physical activities gave children concrete experiences at that time; those improvement points deserve equal attention.