St Peter and St Paul's Church of England Pre-School

Growing vegetables, making soup and donating surplus produce gave this Rishton pre-school a practical connection between learning and helping others in July 2024. Everyday experiences carried the learning: tending plants, handling resources and exploring the local community.

At its July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated St Peter and St Paul's Church of England Pre-School Good and judged safeguarding effective. The setting has 24 places in total; those attending in July 2024 were aged two to four. The main improvement required was more precise curriculum planning for younger children, especially during activities involving the whole group.

In July 2024, children helped select topics, including dinosaur world, which staff used to shape activities. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, children's interests helped turn that framework into things to explore and do.

The pre-school garden brought several experiences together. Children cared for fruit and vegetables, watered their crops and used the harvest for soup, with surplus vegetables donated to a local food bank. Recycling yoghurt pots also gave staff an everyday opportunity to discuss caring for the environment.

Physical activity extended beyond the setting in July 2024. Weekly physical education sessions at a local school involved large equipment, while pencils and scissors provided practice with smaller movements. Bus journeys and regular canal outings introduced children to their surroundings through watching barges and feeding ducks. These were concrete experiences to talk about afterwards.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff supported children's wellbeing and communication effectively, identifying language gaps promptly and providing help. Conversations introduced new vocabulary, while staff paid attention to children who needed support joining social exchanges.

In July 2024, staff gathered information about children's interests from parents and offered ideas for learning at home. Stay and play events gave families another way to participate. Children helped devise behaviour rules about gentle hands and quieter voices indoors, making expectations something they had contributed to.

Independence also featured in July 2024: children washed and dried their hands before eating, and stories prompted discussions about caring for teeth. Staff supported parents with healthier lunch-box choices. Preparation for school emphasised practical independence and everyday skills.

The pre-school is based at Parish Hall St Peter & St Pauls Church, Blackburn Road, Rishton, BLACKBURN BB1 4HD.

In July 2024, opening hours were 8.30am to 3pm on weekdays during term time. At that date, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. Additional funding, including early years pupil premium, helped support experiences such as community outings.

• Younger children's learning. The July 2024 improvement action concerned adapting group activities for younger children. During a visit, ask how activities now accommodate their stage of development.
• Community outings. Bus journeys and canal visits featured in July 2024. Discuss how these experiences fit into the day your child would attend.
• Attendance arrangements. The July 2024 opening pattern was term time, finishing at 3pm. What attendance arrangements and funded-hours terms would apply to your family now?

For families drawn to practical learning, the July 2024 picture offers clear appeal: growing food, exploring the canal and building independence through everyday tasks. Its term-time opening pattern at that date suited families seeking care within the school day. Parents of younger children should give particular attention to how group activities have been adapted to engage them.