Low Fell Community Pre-School

Balance bikes, a tyre-assault course and books taken home each week give Low Fell Community Pre-School a recognisable character in November 2022: physical play and early literacy both had room to develop. Based at Gateshead Fell Cricket Club in Gateshead, it has capacity for 30 children.

At its 3 November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities were supported well. Children attending then were aged two to four. These are dated findings, rather than a description of today's daily provision.

In November 2022, the garden gave children space to run and jump, alongside ride-on toys, hoops and puddle play. Balancing and moving around obstacles made physical development part of ordinary play.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the November 2022 activities connected play with language, counting and exploration. Staff introduced vocabulary while children worked with water and dough, and used peg stacking to encourage counting and attempts at writing numbers.

Books travelled between pre-school and home each week in November 2022. Puppets and character voices brought The Three Little Pigs to life, giving storytelling an expressive, participatory element. Police officers and fire brigade visitors introduced children to community roles, while Diwali and Chinese New Year helped children explore cultures and celebrations.

In November 2022, children settled quickly, including newcomers, and formed close relationships with staff. Adults encouraged sharing and taking turns; handwashing and independent toileting also formed part of the day. Children learning English as an additional language could hear and use their home language, and staff coordinated SEND support with the local authority and other professionals.

Daily conversations kept parents informed about activities in November 2022. However, Ofsted identified two improvements: sharing children's individual learning priorities more fully with families, and making staff supervision and professional development more purposeful. Knowing what a child is working towards gives parents something concrete to continue at home.

Staff provided a healthy snack in November 2022 and encouraged a nutritious lunch.

The address is Gateshead Fell Cricket Club, Eastwood Gardens, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 5UB.

In November 2022, the pre-school operated Monday to Friday during term time, with sessions running from 8am to 4pm. It also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Those arrangements describe the provision at that date.

• Learning links with home. Sharing individual next steps was a November 2022 improvement priority. On a visit, ask how those priorities now reach parents and become practical activities at home.
• Staff development. November 2022 supervision and training needed a clearer educational purpose. Discuss how staff development now shapes children's experiences.
• Attendance planning. The November 2022 pattern was term-time provision between 8am and 4pm. What attendance patterns and funded arrangements would apply to your child now?

For families drawn to active outdoor play, storytelling and opportunities to build independence, the November 2022 picture offers clear reasons to consider Low Fell Community Pre-School. Its term-time pattern then suited families organising childcare around school terms. The balance is straightforward: positive inspection findings sit alongside specific improvements in communication about learning and staff development.