Great and Small Kindergarten

Fortnightly Forest School sessions and a Nurture Facilitator give Great and Small Kindergarten two clear points of character: hands-on outdoor learning and practical support for family life. The first brings a visiting practitioner to lead activities; the second offers conversations, help and referrals for families who need them. These are concrete additions to the everyday childcare offer.

On Rishton Road in Clayton Le Moors, the kindergarten has capacity for 36 children aged two to five. At its September 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding overall. That is a strong dated judgement, rather than a description of a recent visit.

The current attendance offer includes full days and morning or afternoon sessions, within a term-time calendar. Its shorter patterns make it relevant to families seeking a part-day arrangement as well as those needing a longer day.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play supports communication, physical skills and early understanding of the world. Indoor and outdoor activities both form part of the kindergarten's day, alongside experiences in the surrounding area. The emphasis is on children trying things, making discoveries and gradually becoming more independent.

Forest School adds hands-on learning outdoors. At this kindergarten, separately charged sessions take place fortnightly on Thursday mornings, led by a colleague visiting from the sister setting. The charge contributes towards the practitioner and activity resources. This is a recurring addition to kindergarten attendance, rather than an all-day woodland booking.

In September 2022, natural objects and imaginative play gave children practical starting points for exploration. Children experimented with shells, while a seaside-themed activity prompted conversations about experiences beyond the nursery. The connection matters: familiar experiences give children something concrete to talk about and build upon.

Reading also had a physical presence in September 2022. Cosy spaces held books and magazines, and children explored letters and sounds. At snack time, conversations about how much was in a cup introduced mathematical language through an ordinary routine. These examples show how learning was threaded through play and care, rather than confined to a separate teaching slot.

The same visit included children persevering with scissors while cutting sunflowers. It is a useful example of a small, purposeful challenge: children had a reason to practise a physical skill and could see the result of their effort.

Relationships and Communication

The Nurture Facilitator role connects childcare with family wellbeing. Families can discuss difficulties at the setting or at home, receive support, or be directed towards organisations able to help. For parents managing pressures beyond nursery attendance, this creates a specific route into a conversation rather than a general promise of support.

A kindergarten deputy role includes designated safeguarding responsibilities, and the kindergarten team includes paediatric first-aid training.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the September 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised early identification of developmental needs, work with outside professionals and the progress of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This gives families a dated assessment of both protection and additional support.

In September 2022, staff also used words and phrases from children's home languages to help children and their families participate. That practical response made communication less dependent on English alone. Conversations about breakfast, milk and water brought healthy choices into ordinary routines, giving children opportunities to discuss food and try alternatives.

Children bring a healthy packed lunch from home; snacks are included within privately paid sessions but charged separately for funded places, with an option to supply suitable snacks instead. Families opting out must follow the setting's allergy guidance, and failure to supply snacks or required consumables may lead to an early collection.

Sessions and Attendance

The kindergarten's address is 38 Rishton Road, Clayton Le Moors, BB5 5PN. It opens for 38 weeks during term time, closing for bank holidays and school holidays in line with local primary schools. Opening hours are 8.30am to 4pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 3pm on Friday.

Full day A runs from 8.30am to 4pm, with the funded delivery option listed for Monday to Thursday. Full day B runs from 9am to 3pm, with a funded option from Monday to Friday. The choice therefore includes both an earlier start with a later finish and a shorter full day.

Morning and afternoon bookings include 9am to noon and noon to 3pm, alongside half day AM from 8.30am to 12.30pm and half day PM from noon to 4pm. The funded timetable lists these shorter options across Monday to Friday, although Friday's opening window finishes at 3pm. Bespoke arrangements may be possible on request, subject to availability.

A kindergarten-specific contact form provides an enquiry route. For prices, families receive the nursery's current written quotation; the sessions and fees page provides the starting point for the attendance options.

Funding and Paid Extras

The kindergarten accepts 15 universal funded hours for children from age three to the term after their fifth birthday and 30 extended funded hours for eligible children; eligible two-year-olds can also receive funded hours. Additional private hours are charged separately. Tax-free childcare and Student Childcare Grants are accepted.

For funded places, snack charges and a separate consumables contribution sit alongside the childcare entitlement; those charges are incorporated into privately paid sessions. Personal supplies, including nappies, wipes and sun cream, come from home in either case. Parents may opt out of the consumables contribution, with donated resources or help maintaining the property offered as alternatives.

The fortnightly Forest School session carries its own charge. Early drop-off or late collection also attracts a charge, so the agreed attendance window has a practical cost implication.

• Funding calendar. The attendance offer is term time over 38 weeks, but the funding descriptions conflict: one gives a 49-week spread and the detailed offer gives term-time delivery only. Ask which calendar will apply to your agreement before planning childcare around funded hours.
• Friday afternoons. Friday opening ends at 3pm, while an afternoon funded option runs to 4pm. Confirm the Friday finish for the particular pattern you intend to book.
• Food and personal supplies. Packed lunches and personal consumables come from home, and funded snacks carry a separate charge unless families supply their own. Families affected by allergies should confirm current snack requirements and practice, including the opt-out arrangement.

Great and Small Kindergarten suits families seeking either full-day attendance or morning and afternoon sessions during term time, with a recurring outdoor activity and a practical family-support role. Its September 2022 Outstanding judgement adds weight, while the Nurture Facilitator and visiting Forest School practitioner give the offer recognisable substance.

The main decisions concern the funded calendar, Friday finish and the supplies parents take responsibility for. Once those terms are clear, the combination of varied attendance patterns and family support makes a coherent choice for children aged two to five.