Westfield Preschool

Bug hunts in the garden and shopping trips with real money give Westfield Preschool a practical character: children explore their surroundings and rehearse everyday skills. These were features of its July 2024 provision. The setting has capacity for 30 children at the Memorial Institute in Sandiacre.

At its 8 July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Westfield Preschool Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest detail is the way small tasks became learning opportunities, from squeezing paint into a pot to discussing what ants might need in their home.

In July 2024, garden exploration brought conversation, comparison and cooperation together. Children searched beneath logs, compared insects by size and invited friends to join their investigations. The garden gave them something concrete to think and talk about.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, including learning through play. In July 2024, staff extended that play with questions and new vocabulary; older children also explored the starting sounds in their names. Trips to a local shop introduced paying for purchases, connecting learning with an everyday task.

Independence had practical tools behind it. In July 2024, adapted paint bottles let children dispense paint themselves, while aprons, colour mixing and using spoons and tweezers gave them tasks to manage. Older children practised name writing on whiteboards. These examples offer a useful picture of preparation for later learning through doing, rather than relying only on adult instruction.

In July 2024, books about feelings helped children recognise emotions. Staff explained safety rules at children's level, and children practised sharing and waiting their turn, including at the sandpit. Care and learning overlapped in these ordinary exchanges.

Communication with families also had a clear structure in July 2024: online updates covered activities, and regular meetings with a child's key person addressed development and next steps. Staff training included helping new children make the transition into the setting. At snack time, children washed their hands, chose food and served themselves, making the routine another opportunity to practise independence.

Westfield Preschool's address is Memorial Institute, Doncaster Avenue, Sandiacre, Nottingham NG10 5FJ.

In July 2024, opening hours were 9am to midday on Mondays and Fridays, and 9am to 3.30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, during term time. At that date, the preschool provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These are inspection-era arrangements rather than a current attendance offer.

• Protecting unfinished play. In July 2024, routine changes sometimes stopped children before they had completed an activity, including a brick house they were still developing. Improving how routines accommodate sustained play was the required next step.
• Attendance planning. The July 2024 timetable combined shorter opening days with longer ones during term time. At a visit, what current attendance pattern and funding arrangements would fit your family's week?
• Everyday independence. Adapted paint bottles and self-service snacks were part of July 2024 practice. This emphasis suits parents who value children learning to manage small tasks themselves.

Westfield Preschool merits consideration for families drawn to practical learning, garden exploration and growing independence. Its July 2024 examples are concrete and varied, while the interruption of unfinished play gives parents a specific issue to weigh. The dated term-time timetable is relevant to families seeking care around the school year.