St. Martin's Pre-School

A wormery, pretend ice-cream selling and bikes in the garden give St. Martin's Pre-School a recognisable character. In July 2023, these experiences connected practical skills with imaginative play and care for the environment. Ofsted rated the pre-school Good at its 11 July 2023 inspection, while identifying a need for greater challenge for the most able children and more purposeful engagement for younger children.

The setting has capacity for 25 children. Children attending in July 2023 were aged two to four; its base is Cheriton CP School, Church Road, Folkestone.

In July 2023, learning followed children's interests and stages of development. The early years foundation stage is the framework for learning, development and care: here, the day's examples included conversation, imaginative play, physical activity and practising independence.

Pretend ice-cream selling brought several skills together. Children handled scoops, added paper decorations and talked with their friends, combining small hand movements with social play. An unexpected snail became another learning opportunity: watching its movement prompted new vocabulary, with staff repeating words and allowing time for answers.

Outdoor activity had substance. During July 2023, children rode bikes in the garden and used large climbing equipment, practising physical skills and learning to judge risks. Recycling also became tangible when children put food scraps into the wormery. These were experiences children could participate in, rather than simply hear about.

The limitations matter alongside those examples. In July 2023, activities sometimes needed more stretch for children ready to go further, while younger children occasionally showed less engagement in purposeful play than older children.

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and highlighted the use of picture cards and coordination between the special educational needs coordinator, parents and other professionals to support inclusion.

Relationships also had practical expression in July 2023. Children helped friends by pouring water, and staff used stories and colours to help them recognise feelings. Choosing food at snack time gave children a small but useful opportunity to make decisions for themselves.

Communication combined daily conversations with parents and scheduled discussions about development. In July 2023, transition work included visits from primary-school teachers and the sharing of detailed information about individual children. That gave receiving teachers a way to understand children before their next stage.

The address is Cheriton CP School, Church Road, Folkestone, CT20 3EP. In July 2023, opening hours were 8.55am to 2.55pm, five days a week, during term time. Funding then supported children aged two, three and four.

The pre-school occupies school grounds. Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Stretch and engagement. July 2023 brought two clear improvement priorities: extending learning for the most able children and keeping younger children purposefully involved. On a visit, ask how activities now address both needs.
• Term-time planning. The July 2023 opening pattern followed term time and ended at 2.55pm. What attendance patterns, funded-hour arrangements and additional charges would apply to your child now?

St. Martin's suits families drawn to practical preschool learning: imaginative selling, outdoor movement and everyday independence were all evident in July 2023. Its school-ground setting and transition work also give the move towards Reception a concrete context. The balance rests on how consistently activities engage younger children and challenge those ready for more.