St Anne's Pre-School

In June 2023, strawberry planting, imaginary stories around a doll's house and learning to control speed on an outdoor slope gave St Anne's Pre-School a practical, play-led character. At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good and judged safeguarding effective. That assessment came with three clear priorities: adapting large-group activities, tightening oversight of practice and reaching parents who seldom collect their children.

Based in Harlow Green, Gateshead, the pre-school has 24 places in total. In June 2023, children attending were aged two to four, and attendance followed a weekday, term-time pattern.

In June 2023, strawberry growing introduced children to how plants change, while a train track and doll's house prompted conversations and invented stories. These were concrete ways to connect exploration with language. Play dough offered another route: younger children experimented with cutters and rolling pins, while older children explored colour mixing.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the June 2023 activities brought learning into play, conversation and practical exploration. Staff planned from what children could already do and what they needed to learn next. Recognising their own names, and writing them for older children, added purposeful early literacy.

Outdoor play also involved learning to manage physical challenges. In June 2023, children practised using steps and adjusting their speed on slopes. Staff helped them understand sharing, turns and how their behaviour affected others. However, loud singing during some large-group activities overwhelmed some children, showing why the format needed to accommodate individual needs.

In June 2023, children turned to their key person and other staff for comfort, including cuddles when upset. Conversations with parents helped staff incorporate children's home interests into planned activities. The communication weakness concerned families who did not regularly collect: information needed to reach them more consistently too.

Health routines in June 2023 included handwashing, outdoor exercise and guidance about healthy packed lunches, which families supplied. Staff also consulted health professionals about strategies for supporting children and worked with the on-site school around the move to Reception.

Management coaching supported staff practice in June 2023, but oversight did not consistently pick up small differences in how staff worked. This was a specific improvement priority alongside the group-activity and communication concerns.

The address is Pickering Green, Harlow Green, Gateshead, NE9 7HX. In June 2023, sessions ran from 8.45am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The pre-school received funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds at that time.

The June 2023 relationship with the on-site school supported transition to Reception. Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place; families still need to follow the relevant school admissions process.

• Group activities and oversight. The June 2023 priorities included adapting group learning and making monitoring more consistent. These matter for children who find noisy collective activities difficult.
• Communication beyond collection. In June 2023, information did not reach all parents equally consistently. Families using another adult for collection should weigh this finding carefully.
• Attendance and a visit. The June 2023 pattern was a term-time session from 8.45am to 3.15pm. At a visit, ask whether the current attendance arrangements fit your family's timetable.

St Anne's suits families drawn to practical preschool learning, outdoor physical play and preparation for Reception. Its June 2023 picture combines warm key-person relationships with purposeful activities, while the priorities around group learning, oversight and communication deserve attention. The term-time daytime pattern assessed then is the relevant starting point for families considering attendance.