Little Sunshines Pre-School

A garden ladybird became a drawing subject and a conversation about food and habitats at Little Sunshines Pre-School in May 2022. That small example captures the setting's inspection-era character: children's interests shaped practical, playful learning.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 12 May 2022. It has 23 places in total at Upwell Academy, 59-61 School Road, Upwell, Wisbech, PE14 9EW; children attending in May 2022 were aged two to four.

In May 2022, children chose activities, explored resources and sometimes led circle time themselves, recreating activities adults had introduced. Learning followed their interests and developmental stages. Mixing paint prompted children to explain how blue and yellow produce green: an everyday activity became a chance to express scientific understanding.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2022 examples show learning through play, conversation and practical tasks.

Outdoor discovery also fed indoor activity in May 2022. Children drew the ladybird they had discovered in the garden, while management was developing that outdoor space to extend learning about the surrounding world. These were concrete opportunities to connect observation with language and imagination.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and good progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those receiving additional funding, with curriculum adaptations, professional collaboration and individual staff support helping meet learning needs.

In May 2022, staff recognised children's needs and children formed close relationships with them. Adults modelled considerate behaviour and gave consistent guidance about expectations. Praise recognised children's efforts as well as achievements, supporting their willingness to attempt unfamiliar tasks.

Communication with families in May 2022 covered children's learning and their next developmental steps. Assessments helped staff spot gaps and plan support. For families, that connected nursery activities with an individual child's development rather than treating everyone as one group.

Practical independence mattered too. In May 2022, children dressed themselves, poured drinks and washed plates after snacks. A model mouth and plastic teeth supported conversations about toothbrushing and dentists, alongside discussion of healthy food and daily exercise.

The pre-school's address is Upwell Academy, 59-61 School Road, Upwell, Wisbech, PE14 9EW.

In May 2022, attendance ran Monday to Friday in term time, with sessions from 8.30am to 3pm. Funded early education was offered for children aged two, three and four. That dated pattern describes a term-time day rather than a year-round attendance arrangement.

• Language in larger groups. In May 2022, some children received less help to practise communication during larger-group activities, despite an additional staff member supporting speech and language. Ask how group activities now give quieter children time to contribute.
• Attendance and costs. The May 2022 arrangement was a term-time session from 8.30am to 3pm. Before joining, ask whether that pattern still fits your needs and request a current written quotation covering funded hours, meals and consumables.

For families considering term-time daytime attendance, Little Sunshines offers an inspection-era picture of child-led play, practical independence and attentive relationships. Its May 2022 strengths are tangible: garden discoveries, children directing circle time and support adapted to individual learning needs. The limitation is equally specific: communication teaching in larger groups needed strengthening. That is the most useful issue to explore when weighing the setting for a child who needs encouragement to speak.