Netherthong Pre-School & OSC

Autumn leaves, stories and balance bikes characterised learning at Netherthong Pre-School & OSC’s October 2022 inspection, with conversation, movement and children’s interests shaping activities. This Holmfirth setting accepts children aged two to five and has 28 places in total.

At its 12 October 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. That dated judgement gives families a useful starting point, alongside the later compliance finding below.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children’s learning, development and care: play and everyday experiences support language, physical skills and growing independence.

In October 2022, autumn exploration gave children opportunities to describe leaf textures and learn vocabulary connected with hedgehogs. Stories prompted discussion and recall. Staff allowed thinking time before expecting answers, making conversation more than a quick exchange of questions.

Outdoor play in October 2022 included a slope where children used scooters and balance bikes, with cones adding a steering challenge. Preparing fruit at snack time brought another kind of physical practice. Children also adapted a train track together so everyone could join the game, linking problem-solving with consideration for others.

Counting activities in October 2022 started with small numbers. However, adults sometimes missed the link between a number and the steps children took during a counting game. This is a useful distinction: an activity needs careful adult attention to turn play into a clear learning opportunity.

In October 2022, individual learning plans shaped activities, and emerging learning gaps were discussed with parents. Staff sought professional involvement and used funding for resources matched to individual needs. Parents received information about progress and what children would learn next.

Cooperation with other settings children attended was weaker in October 2022, leaving staff with an incomplete understanding of learning elsewhere. Evaluations of teaching also needed sharper attention to what could be improved, rather than concentrating on strengths. Both points matter for consistency across a child’s week.

Ofsted’s compliance outcome dated 18 October 2024 recorded a failure to notify organisational changes, alongside completed changes to safety risk assessments and the accident policy. The notification failure is a separate issue from the earlier Good judgement; completion of those safety changes does not establish its resolution.

School Street, Holmfirth, HD9 3EB is the address. Opening hours are 7.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday, and 7.45am to 4.30pm on Friday. The setting opens across the year, closing on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. The earlier Friday finish deserves attention when planning work and collection.

In October 2022, the setting provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That is an inspection-time description of participation, rather than a promise about a family’s present entitlement.

• Shared care. October 2022 identified weaker cooperation with other settings. Families using more than one provider should ask how learning information is now exchanged.
• Organisational notifications. The 18 October 2024 compliance outcome recorded missed notifications of organisational changes. Ask what action followed that finding.
• Attendance planning. Friday closes earlier than the other weekdays. Which booking pattern would accommodate your working week?

Netherthong suits families seeking care for children aged two to five, with opening hours extending beyond the middle of the day. Its October 2022 examples give substance to the account: thoughtful conversation, physical challenges and collaborative play. The decision also needs to account for the later notification finding and the earlier weaknesses in shared-setting communication and teaching evaluation.