Westbrook Little People

In March 2025, pirate play in the garden and a world map puzzle illustrated how Westbrook Little People used children's interests to encourage imaginative play and conversation. This Waterlooville setting has capacity for 39 children.

At its March 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest practical examples concern language, independence and physical activity, alongside a clear improvement priority: making planned activities more precise about each child's next learning step.

In March 2025, children's enthusiasm for pirates prompted dressing-up outfits and a garden plank for pretend play. An indoor sand tray offered castle-building, while a world map puzzle led staff to introduce vocabulary about animals and navigation. These examples show how conversation and imagination accompanied hands-on exploration.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the March 2025 examples illustrate learning through play, conversation and everyday routines rather than activities standing apart from the rest of the day.

Physical experiences included regular park use for running, balance and coordination, plus yoga to explore movement. Children also discussed rules for safe behaviour indoors and practised sharing resources. However, activity planning sometimes lacked a sufficiently clear connection to children's developmental stages and what they needed to learn next.

At the March 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities included individual plans and coordination with professionals such as speech and language therapists. This gave staff a shared basis for supporting each child.

In March 2025, parents received daily learning updates, worked with their child's key person and received ideas for learning at home. Personal care was respectful: staff approached nappy changes sensitively, and snack-time conversations included dental health.

Older children practised washing and drying their hands before lunch. A morning safety check involved children in recognising risks. Leaders had also adjusted the period after lunch to improve participation, while staff valued opportunities for professional development.

The address is Tempest Avenue, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO7 8NU.

In March 2025, attendance was term-time only, Monday to Friday, with sessions running from 8.15am to 3pm. Government-funded early education was offered to eligible children aged two to four at that time. These dated arrangements are useful context for families considering a preschool timetable.

• Next steps in learning. In March 2025, some activities were insufficiently targeted to children's development. During a visit, ask how staff now choose and explain the next learning step for an individual child.
• Term-time timetable. The March 2025 pattern ran on weekdays during term time, from 8.15am to 3pm. Does the current booking pattern fit your working hours and holiday-care needs?

Westbrook Little People merits consideration by families seeking interest-led preschool experiences and practical independence. The March 2025 picture combines imaginative garden play, language-rich conversation and regular physical activity with close parent communication. It best suits families considering a term-time daytime pattern, with how staff target activities to each child's next learning step an important point to explore.