Clackclose Pre-School

Sand timers for taking turns, a brick path built together and dinosaurs explored on a computer give Clackclose Pre-School a recognisable character. These January 2022 experiences combined practical play with opportunities to talk, cooperate and investigate.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 19 January 2022 and judged safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 36 children, with its base at Downham Market Sure Start Children's Centre on Paradise Road.

In January 2022, children explored indoors and outdoors, choosing activities that interested them. Younger children experimented with sand, while older children assembled a brick path and then made their way along it. The garden offered climbing, running and tricycles, giving physical play a place alongside quieter investigation.

The early years foundation stage is the required framework for children's learning, development and care. In everyday terms, it brings learning and care together: the January 2022 activities included stories, songs, number work and practical exploration. Staff introduced vocabulary through books and gave children time to answer questions. Conversations about weather and the calendar brought counting into familiar subjects.

A computer supported dinosaur investigations, while a magnifying glass helped younger children examine worms and a ladybird. These were concrete opportunities to follow an interest and look more closely. Older children also used sand timers to manage turns with popular equipment.

At the January 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that children developed strong relationships with their key person and that support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities included work with parents and other professionals, pictures and simple signing. Those mechanisms made communication central to individual support.

In January 2022, children practised toothbrushing on a large model set of teeth and ate nutritious snacks. They also tidied toys, used the toilet independently and washed their hands. However, adults sometimes stepped in with shoes, coat fastenings and minor disagreements before older children could try for themselves.

Parents received information about progress in January 2022, but help with continuing learning at home needed strengthening. Staff had induction, training and supervision; supervision needed to do more to develop their curriculum knowledge and practice. These were specific improvement priorities alongside the positive account of children's relationships and activities.

The address is Downham Market Sure Start Children's Centre, Paradise Road, Downham Market, PE38 9JE.

In January 2022, the pre-school was open from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday during school terms. Children attending then were aged two to four, and funded early education was offered for two-, three- and four-year-olds. These practical details describe that period rather than a current attendance offer.

• Independence. In January 2022, adults sometimes completed tasks older children could attempt. Giving children time to manage clothing and small disagreements was an improvement priority.
• Learning at home. January 2022 feedback called for closer work with parents on extending learning beyond pre-school. This matters for families wanting practical ideas to use between sessions.
• Staff development. In January 2022, supervision needed a stronger emphasis on curriculum practice. This matters because staff development shapes how everyday play becomes learning.
• Attendance planning. What are the current age limits, session choices and arrangements for funded attendance?

Clackclose's January 2022 strengths were concrete: investigative play, language activities, physical opportunities and relationships with familiar adults. That picture suits families who value learning through everyday experiences and a key-person relationship. The improvement priorities add a useful counterweight: children's independence, learning at home and staff development all needed attention. The term-time attendance described in January 2022 would suit families whose childcare needs followed school terms.