Child's Play Pre-school

In July 2023, emotional understanding, friendships and growing independence shaped children's experiences at Child's Play Pre-school. At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, with personal, social and emotional development central to its curriculum. This is a pre-school where learning to express a feeling mattered alongside learning to use scissors.

Based in Guildford, the setting has capacity for 36 children. In July 2023, the children attending were aged two to four; its opening pattern was term-time only.

In July 2023, books helped children explore emotions through characters, giving them language for their own feelings. Sharing resources involved time to negotiate, with staff encouraging considerate behaviour.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2023 examples included practical play that supported early writing: cutting paper and handling glue spreaders gave children practice controlling small movements. Exploring apples introduced vocabulary about their parts, linking language to something children could examine.

Adult-led activities and conversations supported language development, but spontaneous play sometimes offered too little space for children's ideas. That distinction matters: learning new words and having the opportunity to use them in an independent explanation are different experiences.

Independence also featured in July 2023. Children took charge of their belongings, putting away lunch boxes and drinks bottles before choosing their play. These were everyday opportunities to practise looking after possessions and making decisions. Preparation for school therefore extended beyond early writing activities to the practical habits children would need in a different setting.

During the same inspection, children brought their completed pictures to staff, who responded with praise and discussion about what they had made. Cutting and sticking had a conversational purpose as well as a physical one: children could show an achievement and talk about their work. Staff also regularly reconsidered the layout of the pre-school. Alongside the planned curriculum, attention went to how the space was arranged for play, behaviour and learning.

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) good, with staff working with families and external agencies and accessing local-authority funding for individual support.

In July 2023, staff adapted their responses to children who struggled to manage their behaviour. Parents received information about their children's needs and suggestions for activities at home, connecting pre-school experiences with family life.

Health learning was practical too. In July 2023, children washed their hands before eating and discussed toothbrushing and healthy food. Safeguarding practice included staff training, risk assessments and securing doors and gates.

Behaviour support in July 2023 combined adult example with responses tailored to individual children. Staff modelled the conduct they expected, reminded children about manners and allowed time for disagreements over resources to be worked through. Sharing was treated as something to learn through interaction. For families, this gives a concrete picture of how social preparation featured in the inspected day, alongside conversations about emotions.

Safety teaching also involved children themselves. In July 2023, staff helped them understand precautions during outdoor play, including wearing a hat in hot weather. Staff training covered recognising possible abuse and reporting concerns. These examples distinguish the children's own developing safety habits from the adults' responsibility to identify and act on risks.

The address is Guildford United Reformed Church, 83 Portsmouth Road, Guildford, GU2 4BS.

In July 2023, opening hours were 8.30am to 2.45pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to noon on Friday, during term time. The pre-school also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Conversation during play. In July 2023, staff sometimes moved learning forward without giving children enough opportunity to explain their own thinking. More space for children's ideas was an improvement priority.
• Changes between activities. In July 2023, some lunchtime and small-group transitions left children unsure what to do next. Clearer guidance between routines was needed to keep children engaged.
• Term-time planning. The July 2023 timetable had an earlier Friday finish. Which attendance patterns and opening hours can the pre-school offer your family now?

Child's Play Pre-school merits consideration for families who value preparation for school through emotional understanding, practical skills and growing independence. Its July 2023 provision suits that interest, while the two improvement priorities give parents specific aspects of daily practice to weigh. Families seeking a term-time pre-school rhythm will recognise the historical attendance pattern; the dated timetable should inform that decision cautiously.