The Barn Preschool

In December 2024, small acts of independence shaped children's day at The Barn Preschool: dressing for outdoor play, inventing games and helping friends find their gloves. At its December 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good overall. It has 20 places in total and is based on Elizabeth Road in Waterlooville.

The inspection offers a picture of familiar routines and considerate behaviour, alongside two clear priorities: sharing children's changing learning needs across staff and making language support more consistent.

In December 2024, children explored their surroundings confidently and created games whose rules they explained to friends. They practised dressing with little help and managing tissues themselves. These everyday tasks gave independence a practical purpose, including preparation for starting school.

The early years foundation stage covers children's learning, development and care. In December 2024, this meant developing language through stories and conversation, independence through dressing, and physical skills through balancing and climbing. In December 2024, the curriculum built on children's existing knowledge, while the accredited Hygge approach accompanied a home-like setting with patient, positive staff.

Physical activity included climbing, running, jumping and balancing. A play kitchen also gave staff opportunities to discuss healthy food. Learning extended beyond organised activities into ordinary tasks and conversations.

At the December 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), making good progress from their starting points. Staff knew families well, giving them a basis for understanding individual children.

In December 2024, online communication worked in both directions, helping parents understand learning and share information. Families contributed resources and joined a summer barbeque, creating opportunities to meet one another.

Support for emotions was practical: staff supplied words for requesting help and allowed children time to attempt difficult tasks before intervening. Language teaching included stories, songs during nappy changes and conversation while preparing to go outside. However, agreed conversational support was not consistently used, leaving some children frustrated. Staff also sometimes missed updates to children's next learning steps.

The address is The Barn Preschool, Elizabeth Road, Waterlooville, PO7 7LZ.

In December 2024, opening hours ran from 8.30am to 3pm on weekdays during school terms, with flexibility within that window. At that time, the preschool accepted government funding for children aged two, three and four, and children attending were aged two to five. These are dated operating details rather than a current attendance promise.

• Changing learning needs. In December 2024, updates did not always reach every practitioner. Ask how the team now shares each child's next steps and agreed language-support strategies.
• Attendance planning. The December 2024 operating pattern was term-time care within a daytime opening window. Before arranging childcare, ask which current booking pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your family.

The Barn's December 2024 picture suits families who value practical independence, familiar routines and close communication. Children had opportunities to help themselves and one another, with emotional support woven into everyday activities. The balance is clear: a Good inspection judgement, accompanied by specific work needed on individual learning targets and conversational support.