Carlton Colville Preschool

Signing, animated stories and mathematics over cucumber pieces give Carlton Colville Preschool a recognisable character. Play and conversation carried much of the learning in January 2024, with children choosing activities and practising everyday independence.

At its January 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the preschool Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The preschool has capacity for 21 children; those attending in January 2024 were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care, bringing play, communication and physical activity into their day. In January 2024, staff selected resources around children's interests and gave them choices about their play. Signing added another way to communicate, while adults extended children's conversations rather than simply giving instructions.

Books supplied plenty of material for storytelling. In January 2024, costumes, props and songs brought stories to life, while chalk and paintbrush activities exercised the hand movements needed for writing. Counting cucumber pieces during snack preparation connected numbers with something children could handle and eat.

Outside that January, a sand pit encouraged digging and conversation. Climbing, ride-on play and stepping stones gave children opportunities to practise movement and balance. These were concrete complements to the language-rich indoor activities.

In January 2024, children approached staff affectionately and talked freely about their experiences. Adults encouraged them to manage tasks such as fastening coats, offering help when needed and recognising their achievements. Sharing and waiting for turns were reinforced through everyday interactions, giving children practical ways to build friendships.

Additional funding supported individual development that January, including extra staffing for children with additional needs. Regular conversations kept parents informed about progress. Staff also undertook professional development, supervision and induction training, providing structured opportunities to develop their practice and understand their responsibilities.

The address is Carlton Colville Community Centre, Hall Road, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, NR33 8BT.

In January 2024, the preschool operated on weekdays during school terms, with sessions running from 8.45am until 3.15pm. It provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time. These arrangements describe the attendance pattern at that date.

• Recognising their own names. In January 2024, some adults used pet names rather than children's names consistently. The improvement priority was to help children recognise and use their own names more reliably, supporting their sense of individual identity.
• Term-time attendance. The January 2024 pattern was weekday sessions within school terms. When visiting, ask which current booking pattern would fit your childcare needs, including school holidays.

Carlton Colville Preschool suits families drawn to play-led learning with plenty of conversation, signing and practical independence. Its January 2024 term-time session pattern would have suited families organising childcare around school terms. The strongest detail is in the everyday activities: storytelling, counting food and outdoor movement each gave learning a tangible purpose. Consistent use of children's own names was the specific practice needing attention.