Lilliput Pre-School

Dough moulds, garden tools and story votes give Lilliput Pre-School its character in January 2023: practical exploration alongside conversation and growing independence. On Drybread Road in Whittlesey, Peterborough, it has capacity for 24 children.

At its January 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective, with strengths in relationships and learning through play but an improvement needed in the organisation of large-group activities. Children attending at that time were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the January 2023 examples included conversation, physical exploration and practical tasks through play.

In January 2023, children shaped dough and talked about its textures. Story choices involved voting, while discussions explored characters, authors and illustrators. Predicting a story from its cover gave children a reason to explain their ideas rather than simply listen.

Outdoor learning was equally concrete that month. Ladders, branches and stilts offered opportunities to practise movement and balance with staff support. In the mud kitchen, children mixed bark, leaves and water; filling buckets with wet sand introduced ideas about weight and volume. Digging and raking also brought safe tool use into their play.

Independence extended to ordinary jobs in January 2023. Children fetched a brush and dustpan after spilling sand and learnt how to hang their coats. These were small, useful opportunities to take responsibility for themselves.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found the key-person arrangements effective: newcomers received reassurance, and sitting with their key person at meals helped maintain continuity of care.

In January 2023, staff used calm reminders, praised kindness and helped children find words for feelings. Support for parents included ideas to use at home. Staff also had opportunities to discuss workloads, with their wellbeing receiving attention from the manager.

In January 2023, snacks included beans served on toast and carrot muffins made without sugar. Mealtimes brought playful conversation too, with children correcting deliberately mistaken descriptions of toast shapes.

The address is Drybread Road, Whittlesey, Peterborough, PE7 1XJ.

In January 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Funded early education was offered for children aged two, three and four at that time. These arrangements describe that period rather than a current booking offer.

• Group participation. In January 2023, lengthy waits during some large-group activities reduced children's involvement. Ask how these activities are organised now so that children can stay engaged.
• Attendance and funding. The January 2023 pattern was term-time opening between 9am and 3pm, with funded early education. What attendance arrangements and funded-hours charges, including meals and consumables, would apply to your child now?
• Outdoor confidence. January 2023 activities included balancing on stilts and climbing with staff support. Discuss how a less confident child would be helped to participate.

For families who value hands-on outdoor play, shared stories and everyday independence, Lilliput's January 2023 inspection offers concrete reasons to explore it. The combination of key-person continuity and practical learning is the strongest part of that assessment. Large-group organisation is the point to examine closely when considering whether it suits your child.