Littlesaints Preschool

Storytelling, responsibility and community life give Littlesaints Preschool its character: in December 2022, children made weekly library visits and chose photographs showing which part of the room they would tidy. Small tasks mattered. They gave children opportunities to contribute, remember stories and help one another.

Ofsted rated the preschool Outstanding at its 13 December 2022 inspection. Littlesaints has capacity for 16 children, with its address on School Road, Exeter, EX2 9AF; children attending in December 2022 were aged two to four.

In December 2022, songs, rhymes and expressive storytelling supported children's communication. Library visits extended that interest beyond the preschool, and children remembered stories from earlier visits. Books were part of a continuing conversation rather than a single activity.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the December 2022 examples included mathematics, early writing and practical play: children experimented with balancing large outdoor scales and persisted with squeezing icing tubes while decorating gingerbread men. Staff used children's interests and questions to extend what they could do.

An outdoor play area provided opportunities to practise judging risks. During December 2022, children also explored money from different countries in a play till and used pictures of themselves to discuss similarities and differences. These were concrete ways to introduce ideas about other people and cultures.

At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, excellent progress in children's learning and close work with other professionals to obtain early support for additional needs. Those are dated judgements, rather than assurances about today's practice.

In December 2022, family photographs helped children manage separation, while staff adjusted interactions to children's emotional needs. Older children helped younger ones tackle putting on coats. This made independence a shared activity, with children practising skills and helping others use them.

Parents then received updates through everyday conversations, an app and staff meetings. Books went home too, giving families a practical connection with the storytelling children enjoyed during the day.

School Road, Exeter, EX2 9AF is the preschool's address. In December 2022, opening hours were 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the setting received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four.

At that time, Littlesaints occupied its own premises attached to St Thomas Primary School, and children took part in activities at the school. Attending the preschool does not guarantee a Reception place.

• A dated attendance picture. The December 2022 opening pattern was term-time weekdays. What attendance patterns and funded arrangements would apply to your child now?
• School connection. Activities at St Thomas Primary School formed part of children's experience in December 2022. Preschool attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, so keep the school-place decision separate.
• Inspection timing. The Outstanding judgement dates to December 2022. Use a visit to explore how the library outings, home books and separation support work today.

Littlesaints will appeal to families who value language, books and everyday independence. Its December 2022 experience combined library outings, practical mathematical exploration and thoughtful help with separation. The strongest picture is of children learning through purposeful activity, with parents involved through conversation and books brought home. Treat that picture as inspection-era practice when weighing the preschool for your child.