Skylarks Pre-School

Foam bricks, imaginary building projects and treasure maps give Skylarks Pre-School its character in January 2023: children learning by making, experimenting and doing things for themselves. The setting has capacity for 26 children at Village Hall in Tilney St. Lawrence.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 19 January 2023. Children attending then were aged one to four; that age range describes the children at the time, rather than a current admissions limit.

In January 2023, the construction area supported imaginative building with tools and foam bricks, while a sand tray became a place to search for hidden coins. These activities gave children reasons to invent stories and persist with a task.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its January 2023 examples included exploring quantities, creative work and practical independence. Children explored quantities using water beads, used scissors and glue, and made marks outdoors with large chalks. Drawing treasure maps linked imaginative play with the hand movements needed for writing.

Community experiences extended beyond the setting in January 2023. A falconry expert and police officers visited, and children explored a farm, the local post office and a park. Nature walks added opportunities to investigate their surroundings.

At its January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities good, with staff identifying obstacles to learning and working with external professionals.

Everyday independence received practical attention in January 2023. Children practised dressing, pouring drinks and cutting fruit, alongside nose-blowing, handwashing and toothbrushing. Gentle reminders helped them share and cooperate.

Books supported themed activities that month, including exploration of sea creatures. However, staff sometimes missed chances to develop vocabulary through conversation. Families received updates about development and daily experiences, but needed more guidance on continuing learning at home. These were the two priorities for improvement.

The address is Village Hall, Magdalen Road, Tilney St. Lawrence, King's Lynn, PE34 4RF.

In January 2023, attendance was during term time, Monday to Friday. Session times were 9am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 9am to midday on Wednesday. That shorter Wednesday mattered for families planning care across the week.

Funded early education for children aged two, three and four formed part of the January 2023 provision.

• Conversation during play. Developing vocabulary through everyday exchanges was a January 2023 improvement priority. Look for how staff extend children's ideas and language during activities.
• Learning at home. Families needed more practical guidance in January 2023. Ask how today's updates translate into activities parents can use at home.
• Attendance planning. January 2023 sessions included a shorter Wednesday and term-time attendance. What attendance arrangements would apply to your child now?

Skylarks suits parents drawn to practical independence, imaginative play and experiences beyond the setting. Its January 2023 picture is concrete: building, mark-making and self-care, balanced against improvement priorities in conversation and home learning. Families considering the term-time pattern described then should weigh the shorter Wednesday alongside the other days.