Noahs Ark Pre-School

A grass bank for sliding and family photo albums for settling give Noahs Ark Pre-School a recognisable character. In November 2022, children used the garden slope together and brought photographs from home into their day: physical exploration and familiar connections sat alongside each other.

At its 10 November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good overall. Based at St Johns Church Hall in Ipswich, it has 36 places in total and caters for children aged 24 to 60 months. Its term-time calendar makes the school holidays an important part of the childcare decision.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing play and everyday skills into their education. In November 2022, children investigated magnets, tested which objects they attracted and explored how many keys they could hold. Staff introduced further ideas as the children experimented.

During that same month, outdoor play included football and sliding on the garden's grass bank. Children practised playing together and judging physical risks. Regular community outings included nature walks, the church and a local shop, where money became something to explore through an everyday experience.

There were also clear teaching priorities in November 2022. Staff sometimes missed opportunities to follow a child's new interest and develop the activity further. Storytelling used props and suspense, but stories and songs needed to happen more often across the day. These are useful points against which to assess the present learning routine.

In November 2022, each child's key person provided a familiar relationship, while family photographs helped connect home with pre-school. Settling arrangements were individual, and parents knew whom to approach about their child. Children also practised practical independence, handling clothing fastenings, choosing snacks and pouring drinks.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities good, with individual plans and cooperation between families, staff and other professionals. This gives a dated assessment of both protection and inclusion.

In November 2022, staff also asked families for words in children's home languages and guidance on pronunciation, and used those languages in storytelling. The building had other users upstairs; arrangements helped keep children and the pre-school area safe.

The address is St Johns Church Hall, Caudwell Hall Road (North East), Ipswich, IP4 4QE. Opening hours are 8.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with closure for school holidays. Full days are offered.

In November 2022, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a historical participation statement, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Term-time care. Closure during school holidays means families needing year-round childcare must plan for those weeks separately.
• Teaching priorities. In November 2022, responding to changing interests and increasing stories and songs were improvement points. During a visit, ask how both now shape the day.
• Funding and charges. For this term-time pre-school, what funded attendance arrangements and charges for food or consumables would apply to your child's booking?

Noahs Ark Pre-School suits families seeking term-time childcare, including full days, with home connections and practical play prominent in its November 2022 account. The Good judgement provides a useful assessment, while the specific teaching priorities deserve attention when choosing it. The holiday calendar is the clearest practical constraint.