Spinney Pre-School

Paper pancakes, pretend hairdressing and dough shaped with rolling pins give Spinney Pre-School's February 2024 experience its character: everyday play became practice in speaking, choosing and handling small tools. This Harlow setting has 24 places in total.

At its 15 February 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and found that children made good progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those learning English as an additional language. The children attending then were aged two to three.

In February 2024, the curriculum covered the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care; activities connected language, physical skills and social development through play. Flashcards, board games and conversations helped children practise words, while paper pancake menus gave written language a practical purpose.

Dough activities brought several skills together. Children shaped and flattened it, followed instructions and selected tools by size, combining preparation for writing with listening and mathematical language. In the pretend hair salon, children directed the play and practised conversation with staff joining in.

Group music offered movement and imaginative play: children rocked a shared fabric circle while pretending to travel aboard a pirate ship. But larger gatherings could become too noisy for some children to follow instructions or contribute. Better planning for those children, and clearer opportunities to hear one another, were the two improvement priorities.

In February 2024, staff used picture cards showing emotions to help children recognise feelings and understand their effect on others. Quiet retreat spaces gave children somewhere to pause, with staff checking whether they needed support. These were concrete ways to help children manage difficult moments.

Home languages also had a place in daily life. Staff learned useful words and phrases, and children could use books in their home language. Parents could speak with their child's key person, while contact with families, schools and other professionals helped staff adapt learning experiences.

At the February 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged the response to an incident in which a child briefly remained unattended in the garden to be swift and effective, with headcounts and garden checks strengthening supervision.

The address is The Spinney Infant School, Cooks Spinney, Harlow, CM20 3BW. In February 2024, attendance ran during term time, Monday to Friday, with session times of 8.35am to 3pm. Funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds at that time.

• Large-group participation. February 2024 improvement priorities concerned planning for children who struggled in bigger groups. On a visit, ask how activities accommodate a child who prefers a smaller gathering.
• Noise and listening. Rising noise sometimes prevented children from following or responding to staff. Ask how shared activities now give children space to hear and contribute.
• Attendance planning. The February 2024 pattern was term-time attendance between 8.35am and 3pm. What attendance arrangements and accepted ages apply when your child would join?

Spinney merits consideration by families drawn to play that builds conversation, early writing skills and emotional understanding. Its February 2024 term-time pattern suited families seeking care within the school-day window. The balance to explore is how that engaging play works for children who find busy group activities harder.