St Aidans Pre-School

Stories become fishing games at St Aidans Pre-School: in January 2025, children brought sea creatures and the story of Tiddler into their play. That connection between language and activity gives this Hull setting its character. It has capacity for 45 children at 139 Southcoates Avenue, HU9 3HF.

At its 27 January 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The detail beneath that judgement matters: children joined familiar songs, practised counting through movement and responded to shared rules for playing together.

In January 2025, the early years foundation stage shaped the curriculum, covering children's learning, development and care. Its practical expression included stories, number games and opportunities to explore materials through play.

Song spoons gave children a way to select a song during group activities, including Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Familiar storytelling also carried into imaginative play: children caught Tiddler in a fishing net and used words for sea creatures. This gave new vocabulary a purpose beyond the story itself.

Counting had similarly concrete uses. Children counted their star jumps, worked out what happened to the number of spacemen in a rhyme and managed numbers at the play-dough table. A fishing game extended the challenge to recognising numerals to 20 for children ready for that step.

Conversation was less consistent. During January 2025 activities involving colour mixing and ice, successive questions sometimes overwhelmed children and interrupted the exchange. More space for children to respond was an important next step.

At the January 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff knew children's individual needs well and used relationships with parents and external agencies to help children access learning. Support addressed confidence and physical skills as well as broader learning and welfare needs.

Shared routines helped children manage the session in January 2025. They responded to a raised hand, waited to contribute to discussions and practised rules for safe play. Praise recognised their efforts and achievements.

Children also washed and dried their hands before lunch, poured water themselves and received reminders to drink before physical activity. The practical habits were in place; explanations of why handwashing and hydration matter needed more attention.

The address is 139 Southcoates Avenue, Hull, HU9 3HF. In January 2025, the setting operated Monday to Friday during term time, with sessions running from 8.30am until 3pm. It also provided government-funded childcare at that time.

• Conversation. In January 2025, too many questions in succession sometimes interrupted children's responses. Families weighing language support should consider how staff give children time to develop an exchange.
• Understanding healthy habits. Children practised handwashing and drinking water in January 2025, but needed clearer explanations of their purpose. The next step was understanding, alongside independence.
• Attendance planning. The January 2025 pattern was term-time weekday sessions. At a visit, what attendance and funded-hours arrangements would fit your family's routine now?

St Aidans Pre-School merits consideration by families seeking preschool learning built around stories, songs and practical number play. Its January 2025 inspection gives a positive foundation, with specific strengths in individual support and shared routines. Conversation and explanations of healthy habits are the two clear areas to weigh alongside those strengths.