Nurture Pre-School at Abbotsweld

Crates and beams became a climbing challenge, while sand became a surface for drawing circles: practical exploration gives Nurture Pre-School at Abbotsweld its character in the June 2023 account. Children had opportunities to choose, experiment and work together. Small experiences carried several kinds of learning.

Ofsted rated the setting Outstanding on 28 June 2023, recognising the quality of its education, children's behaviour and personal development, and its leadership. It has capacity for 56 children at Abbotsweld Primary Academy in Harlow; children attending in June 2023 were aged two to four.

In June 2023, garden play brought movement and investigation together. Children constructed with beams and crates, then climbed and balanced on their creation. Working out how to build together gave cooperation a practical purpose, alongside exercise and coordination.

A tray containing pinecones, dried leaves, water and sand encouraged children to investigate texture. Drawing lines and circles added early mark-making, while conversations with staff helped children put their discoveries into words. Younger children also experimented with magnets, exploring what happened as they manipulated them.

The setting followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the June 2023 examples show what that meant in practice: play linked language, physical activity and exploration. A favourite bear-hunt story prompted children to predict events and act out characters, connecting books with imaginative play.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those learning English as an additional language, with both groups making substantial progress.

In June 2023, key-person relationships gave staff knowledge of children's interests and learning, which they used to plan what came next. Parents were involved in their children's development, helping connect learning between home and the setting.

Each day, a child took a leadership role, giving them a chance to practise confidence and responsibility. Staff acknowledged effort and achievements, and children followed familiar routines. Daily risk assessments, safeguarding training and staff positioning supported supervision at that time.

The address is Abbotsweld Primary Academy, 278 Partridge Road, Harlow, CM18 6TE. In June 2023, opening hours were 8.50am to 3.50pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. These describe the opening window at that date.

The setting provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four in June 2023. Its school-site address should be kept separate from a Reception application: nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Term-time planning. The June 2023 opening pattern followed term time. Families needing childcare through school holidays should weigh that pattern against their working year.
• Planning a place. For a prospective child, what ages, attendance patterns and funded arrangements apply now, and how does settling with a key person work?

The June 2023 picture suits families who value practical play, independence and close relationships with staff. Construction, sensory exploration and storytelling gave children different ways to participate. The Outstanding judgement provides a clear assessment of that period; the term-time opening pattern is the practical consideration to weigh alongside it.