Bidbury Pre-School

A book shed, balancing planks and nature bingo give Bidbury Pre-School's October 2021 account a recognisable character: practical play with room for movement, conversation and quieter moments. Based at Bidbury Infant School in Havant, it has 26 places in total across the setting.

At its October 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good overall and found safeguarding effective. That is a dated judgement, rather than a description of today's daily practice. Children attending then were aged two to four.

In October 2021, children balanced along planks and crawled beneath netting, giving them opportunities to practise coordination. Play dough offered a different physical challenge: working with tools exercised hands and fingers, while conversations about spoons brought counting into play.

The statutory framework is the early years foundation stage, which brings children's learning, development and care together. In October 2021, its practical expression included spontaneous songs, shared books and activities shaped around what children already understood. Staff used assessments to plan the next steps in learning.

Outdoor play also mattered in October 2021. Children washed baby dolls as they explored caring for babies, and walks included nature bingo. The cosy book shed provided a place for sharing stories. These examples show how physical activity, imaginative play and language sat alongside one another.

In October 2021, children used pictures to register themselves, making participation in a familiar routine part of their day. Their individual artwork was displayed, giving their efforts a visible place in the setting.

At the October 2021 inspection, Ofsted found that the special educational needs coordinator worked with families and other agencies on communication goals, but staff did not consistently use agreed speech-support methods, including signing. This distinction matters: identifying a child's needs and carrying out the agreed support are separate tasks.

Another October 2021 improvement point concerned group teaching. Some children lost interest during shared story sessions, and leaders and staff needed to evaluate these sessions more effectively. Families weighing quieter individual experiences against group activities should give that finding attention.

The address is Bidbury Infant School, Fraser Road, Havant, PO9 3EF. In October 2021, the pre-school occupied a ground-floor room and opened on weekdays during school terms, from 9am to 3pm. Those hours describe the inspection-era opening window.

In October 2021, it received government funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. Attendance at a nursery on a school site does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Communication support. In October 2021, agreed speech-support strategies were used inconsistently. At a visit, ask how practitioners now carry a child's communication plan through daily activities.
• Group learning. The October 2021 findings highlighted uneven engagement during shared stories. Consider how well group activities would suit your child's attention and interests.
• School-site setting. Bidbury Pre-School is based at Bidbury Infant School. Treat choosing the pre-school and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Bidbury suits families drawn to practical preschool play on a school site. Its October 2021 account combines active outdoor experiences with books, songs and imaginative care of dolls. The balance is useful, but the dated concerns about communication strategies and group teaching deserve weight alongside the Good judgement.