Woodcroft Pre School and Wrap around care

In April 2023, story props, songs and outdoor balancing logs gave Woodcroft a recognisable character: play connected language, movement and friendships. At its April 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefited from strong professional support and made good progress.

Based at Woodcroft Primary School in Waterlooville, the setting has 60 places in total. In April 2023, children attending were aged 1 to 11, spanning early-years care and provision for older children.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care, connecting education with everyday wellbeing. In April 2023, adults brought stories to life through changing voices and props, while children acted out what they heard. Babies joined familiar songs through dancing and movement. These were concrete ways to make language part of play.

Outside, April 2023 activities included balancing along logs, with children holding hands to help each other across. Daily outdoor access included support for children who needed it, and funding paid for wet-weather clothing. Physical play also created opportunities for cooperation.

Changes between activities were less successful in April 2023. During tidying, some children drifted rather than understanding their next task, interrupting their engagement. Staff also missed opportunities to use important words from children's home languages, making activities harder to understand for children learning English as an additional language. Both areas required improvement.

In April 2023, the key-person arrangement gave families detailed daily conversations about their child's experiences. Staff also discussed home life with parents when planning activities, connecting care with each child's circumstances.

Healthy habits featured in the April 2023 day: children discussed toothbrushing, selected fruit for snacks and practised washing independently. Adults praised those small achievements. SEND support included joint working with parents and outside professionals, while additional funding bought resources matched to individual care and learning needs.

The address is Woodcroft Primary School, 37 Woodcroft Lane, Waterlooville, PO8 9QD. Sharing the school site does not guarantee a Reception place through nursery attendance.

In April 2023, opening hours were 7.30am to 6pm throughout the year, and provision included a breakfast club and after-school care. At that time, the setting received early education funding for children aged two, three and four. These arrangements describe the provision at that date.

• Home-language support. In April 2023, teaching did not consistently incorporate children's home-language vocabulary. Families raising children with more than one language can ask how familiar words now support participation.
• Changes of activity. April 2023 tidying routines left some children unsure what to do. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how staff help children move between activities.
• Attendance planning. The April 2023 offer combined preschool care with breakfast and after-school provision. Ask which current booking pattern fits your child's age and your working day.

Woodcroft merits consideration for families seeking preschool provision or breakfast and after-school care, with its April 2023 strengths centred on storytelling, outdoor cooperation and communication with parents. The balance is clear: practical, child-centred experiences sat alongside specific weaknesses in home-language teaching and activity changes. Those are useful priorities for a family discussion before choosing care.