St John's Pre-school Nursery

Storytelling with puppets, counting catches in fishing nets and talking through friendship gave St John's Pre-school Nursery a recognisable character in February 2022. At its 17 February 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding and found exceptional development in speaking and listening, alongside excellent progress across children's learning.

The nursery has capacity for 24 children and is based on Beresford Avenue in Hull. Children attending in February 2022 were aged two to four. That age range belongs to the inspection period.

In February 2022, learning connected practical play with language and early mathematics. Children compared their catches during a fishing activity, exploring quantities rather than simply reciting numbers. Medical role play introduced vocabulary through a stethoscope, a doll and a diagram of the body. These were concrete reasons to count, explain and ask questions.

The early years foundation stage is the statutory framework for children's learning, care and development; here, the February 2022 examples show learning through play and conversation. Resources were selected and arranged to encourage children to investigate and act independently.

Books extended beyond listening to stories. In February 2022, children could use audio books, borrow books for home and retell stories through puppets. Small-group activities also included sharing a drill while making dinosaurs and catching bubbles or a frog while learning to make choices. The emphasis was on participation, choice and taking turns.

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and support for children needing additional help outstanding, with the SENCo coordinating targeted help, external professional input and the use of additional funding alongside key people.

In February 2022, friendship groups gave children opportunities to discuss feelings, wait for a turn and recognise considerate behaviour in others. Emotional understanding was practised through interaction, making relationships part of the learning day.

Communication with families in February 2022 included face-to-face and electronic feedback, plus home-learning bags and practical guidance. That connected activities at nursery with things parents could continue at home. Staff also rehearsed safeguarding responses through scenarios and quizzes; recruitment, induction and supervision formed part of the arrangements at that time.

The address is Newland St Johns C E Academy, Beresford Avenue, Kingston Upon Hull, HU6 7LS. In February 2022, the nursery operated within Newland St John's Church of England Academy.

Opening hours in February 2022 were 8.50am to 11.50am, Monday to Friday, during term time. Funded early education for three- and four-year-olds formed part of the provision then. These dated arrangements describe a morning opening window rather than a current choice of booking packages.

Attendance at a nursery on a school site does not guarantee a Reception place. Families seeking a state-school place still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Morning attendance. The February 2022 opening window was confined to term-time mornings. At a visit, what are the current attendance options, accepted ages and funded-hours arrangements?
• School-site setting. Operating within an academy does not secure Reception admission. Treat the nursery decision and the school application as separate decisions.

The February 2022 picture suits families looking for preschool learning built around conversation, stories, practical mathematics and relationships. Home-learning bags added a useful connection with family life. For parents weighing morning provision, the February 2022 opening pattern is relevant, alongside the Outstanding overall grade awarded that year.