Natural Explorers, Simmondley Primary School

Storytelling, outdoor climbing and growing independence characterised this school-site preschool at its June 2025 inspection. Natural Explorers, Simmondley Primary School has capacity for 20 children and is based on Pennine Road in Glossop. At its June 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good.

Children attending that June were aged three to four. The picture was of children absorbed in play, practising conversation and learning to manage everyday tasks. Morning and afternoon preschool sessions operated alongside a lunch club, with breakfast and after-school clubs also running on the school site.

In June 2025, language ran through familiar rhymes, stories and games. Adults paused during reading so children could remember the story and use illustrations to anticipate its next turn. A guessing game encouraged children to listen to descriptions and identify a hidden friend: conversation had a practical purpose.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for learning, development and care; here, play gave children opportunities to practise language, movement and early mathematics. In June 2025, children sprayed water at objects bearing numbers, threaded beads and experimented with materials for box models. These activities brought number recognition, hand control and persistence into the same day.

Outdoors that June, tunnels, large climbing equipment and ball play gave children opportunities to practise balance and build strength. The indoor bead-threading activity complemented that larger movement with the hand movements needed for writing.

At the June 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that safeguarding was effective, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received good support, and children made good progress from their starting points.

During that June, children turned to adults when distressed, while staff helped them settle disagreements and practise taking turns. Staff assessed learning, involved outside agencies where children needed additional help, and shared progress information with parents so learning could continue at home.

Preparation for school included building confidence and encouraging practical independence. In June 2025, children practised cutting their food with cutlery, and staff passed current information to schools and other agencies to support continuity.

The address is Simmondley Primary School, Pennine Road, Glossop, SK13 6NN. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place.

In June 2025, preschool sessions ran from 8.45am to 12.15pm and from 12.15pm to 3.15pm, with a lunch club. Breakfast club started at 8am, and after-school club finished at 5.30pm. These were the arrangements at that visit, rather than a statement of today's booking offer.

At that time, the setting received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four.

• Individual next steps. The June 2025 improvement priority was sharper adult interaction around each child's next learning need. Ask how staff now translate assessments into support during play.
• School-site progression. Preschool attendance does not guarantee Reception admission. Keep the school application separate from the nursery decision.
• Session planning. How do today's preschool sessions, lunch club and wraparound arrangements fit your required days, and what would the written quotation include?

The June 2025 picture suits families considering either morning or afternoon preschool, with school preparation grounded in conversation, physical play and practical independence. The main reservation is precise teaching during individual interactions: that matters as much as the appealing activities themselves.