Happy Days Preschool Oatlands

Play dough, written prompts around play areas and space for indoor climbing give this preschool a concrete learning story. At its 1 February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Happy Days Preschool Oatlands Good overall. Those observations describe preschool life at that date.

The preschool has 25 places in total and is based at First Church Of Christ Scientist, 70 Oatlands Drive, Weybridge, KT13 9JA. Its inspection account centres on children choosing activities, building friendships and learning through practical play, alongside two clear areas for further work: independence and challenge for older children.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the February 2023 examples show how play brought different areas of learning together: children weighed ingredients for play dough, shared the mixing and agreed on a colour. Handling the dough also exercised the fingers and hands used for writing.

In February 2023, written prompts and labels within play areas gave staff opportunities to introduce print during activities. Small-world play continued a travel theme from the preceding day, allowing children to return to an idea rather than leave it behind after one activity. Group conversations about the weather and the day's plans gave children practice in listening and waiting to speak.

Physical play had space indoors as well as outside. In February 2023, younger children used a small climbing frame, while a slide and beanbag games offered other ways to move. Children also spent time outdoors each day.

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well supported. Staff recognised when extra help might be needed, involved parents and worked with outside agencies to arrange support.

In February 2023, practitioners helped children share resources and join one another's play. Staff supervision meetings also provided opportunities to identify training needs and discuss how the preschool operated. These were practical mechanisms for supporting both children and staff.

Fruit was served at snack time in February 2023, and staff advised families about healthy packed lunches. Communication with families covered children's activities and achievements, connecting preschool experiences with home.

In February 2023, the preschool operated in a church building, opening on weekdays during term time from 9.15am to 2.15pm. This was a daytime, term-time opening window rather than evidence of separately bookable sessions.

Children attending at that inspection were aged two to four. The preschool also provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds at that date. These arrangements describe the inspection period.

• Independence. In February 2023, staff sometimes did tasks that children could have attempted themselves. On a visit, ask how practitioners now give children time to manage coats and other everyday tasks.
• Older children's challenge. Activities were adapted for different ages in February 2023, but older children were not consistently stretched. Ask how learning is extended once a child can complete an activity confidently.
• Attendance fit. The February 2023 opening pattern was term-time weekdays, ending at 2.15pm. What attendance and funded-hours arrangements would apply to your child now?

Happy Days Preschool Oatlands suits consideration by families who value practical play and opportunities to build friendships. Its February 2023 account offers tangible examples, from weighing play-dough ingredients to indoor climbing. The balance rests on how effectively today's provision develops children's independence and keeps older children challenged.