Gateway Elson St Columbas Pre-School

The wet weather surface and children helping to prepare fruit and vegetables for Snack Time give Gateway Elson St Columbas Pre-School its character. The wet weather surface extends opportunities for outdoor activity, while practical jobs give children a part in the running of their day. This is a preschool for children aged 2 to 5 in Elson, Gosport.

Ofsted rated the setting Good at its July 2022 inspection. That assessment sits alongside specific improvements concerning healthy eating, oral health and the organisation of activities led by adults. Those points matter as much as the grade when considering how a younger child will experience group learning.

The setting operates during term time, with weekday opening hours of 8.30am to 3.30pm. Its emphasis on preschool care makes the holiday calendar an important part of the family decision.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning and care: children develop language, physical skills and relationships through play and supported activities. At Elson, preparation of fruit and vegetables for Snack Time brings practical participation into the day. Children also help tidy their surroundings, giving them responsibilities they can understand and carry out.

In July 2022, imaginative play included children pretending to be hairdressers, working together with staff and other children. Sensory exploration involved mud and vegetables, with conversations about pretend cakes and recipes. Staff used questions to develop children's thinking and introduce vocabulary connected with what they were doing. Language learning grew out of play rather than being confined to a separate exercise.

Makaton signing, used alongside spoken language, was part of the day in July 2022. Familiar stories were also linked to particular learning goals, and the silly soup song encouraged children to supply missing words. These examples give a concrete picture of the methods used to encourage participation and conversation at that time.

Outdoor and Community Life

A wet weather surface supports longer periods outdoors and activities connected with the seasons. This is a useful physical feature for families who value outdoor play as part of ordinary preschool life.

In July 2022, children experimented with balancing and construction using wooden planks and tyres. They also ran and chased one another in the garden, practising movement around other children. Collecting their own sun hats and stopping for water brought self-care into outdoor play. The activities combined physical challenge with small responsibilities.

Relationships and Communication

Golden Rules and Kind Hands give children named reminders about behaviour towards others. Staff use gentle prompts to help children act safely, making expectations part of everyday interactions. Preparing snacks and helping to tidy provide further opportunities to take responsibility within the group.

In July 2022, children used their own picture and their key person's photograph as part of the routine. Younger children received help to find their pictures. Staff and parents exchanged information about learning and development, including information relevant to involving other professionals. For families, that connection between home and preschool is more useful than a progress update that stands alone.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities making good progress from their starting points, with the nurture group supporting language and emotional resilience. These are dated judgements, rather than assurances about an individual child's future experience.

In July 2022, the team comprised eight staff, and most had completed paediatric first-aid training. Children served snacks and poured drinks themselves, with adults available when they needed help. However, teaching about healthy food choices and caring for teeth needed further development. Independence in carrying out a task and understanding why it matters are separate parts of learning.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is St. Columbas United Reform Church, Elson Road, Gosport, PO12 4BN. Opening hours are 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the setting closes for school holidays. Families needing care through the holidays should weigh that closure pattern against their working arrangements.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 02392521535 or by email to elson@gatewaypreschools.org. These are the Elson branch's contact details.

Funding and Paid Extras

The setting offers 15 hours of funded childcare each week during school term time. This is the funded offer, rather than a promise that a particular attendance arrangement will suit every family. Current prices for any paid care come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Group learning for younger children. In July 2022, noise distracted some children, and younger children continuing to play interrupted activities led by adults. During a visit, ask how group activities now accommodate children at different developmental stages.
• Healthy habits. The July 2022 improvement priorities included learning about healthy eating and oral health. Ask how these subjects are now built into snacks, play and daily routines.
• Term-time care. The weekday opening window ends at 3.30pm and school holidays are closures. This needs to fit the family's wider childcare arrangements.

Gateway Elson suits families seeking term-time preschool care for a child aged 2 to 5, especially those who value outdoor activity and participation in practical tasks. The wet weather surface, snack preparation and behaviour reminders give its day a recognisable shape. The Good judgement provides a dated quality assessment; the questions about group organisation and healthy habits remain useful points for a visit.