Earith Pre-School

Small acts of independence give Earith Pre-School its character: choosing art materials, helping tidy up and learning to manage belongings featured in October 2024. These are useful foundations for school life.

At its October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Earith Pre-School has 28 places in total for children aged 24 to 60 months, at Earith Primary School on School Road.

In October 2024, learning followed children's interests, with resources indoors and outside supporting different areas of development. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: here, play included conversation, creative choices and practical tasks.

Trains, wooden construction blocks and puzzles gave children opportunities to practise hand control. Art materials let them make choices about their creations. These activities supported hand control for future writing, alongside opportunities to choose resources independently.

Daily songs in October 2024 used actions and props to introduce vocabulary. Magnets prompted exploration of materials, while role play created opportunities for conversations with staff. Older children, however, needed activities that stretched their existing knowledge more consistently. That is the important curriculum qualification for families approaching Reception.

In October 2024, staff took an interest in individual children and joined their play, building relationships through shared activities. Calm adult behaviour and clear expectations helped children cooperate, take turns and contribute to tidying.

At the October 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that work with other professionals and individual learning plans supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), who made good progress. This gives families a concrete support mechanism to consider, rather than a general promise of inclusion.

Parents received development updates and ideas for learning at home in October 2024. Staff also discussed healthy food and the effects of exercise with children. Preparation for school emphasised communication, friendships and independence, supported by working relationships between preschool and school staff.

The address is Earith Primary School, School Road, Earith, Huntingdon, PE28 3QB. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with school-holiday closures.

In October 2024, sessions ran from 9am to 3pm and funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. This is a term-time timetable to weigh against work and holiday childcare needs.

Sharing a site with Earith Primary School does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still need to apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Challenge for older children. October 2024 identified a need for more demanding activities. At a visit, ask how planning now extends children who already know the basics.
• Term-time timetable. The 9am to 3pm opening window and school-holiday closures need to fit the family's wider childcare arrangements.
• School transition. October 2024 highlighted cooperation with school staff, but attendance does not secure admission to Reception.

Earith Pre-School suits families seeking term-time early education with practical independence and preparation for school. October 2024 offers concrete examples of conversation, creative play and coordinated support. The balance for older children rests on how effectively activities now build beyond what they can already do.