Butterflies Preschool

Storytelling, outdoor discoveries and growing independence shaped the picture of Butterflies Preschool at its October 2022 inspection. This Heysham setting takes children aged two to four and has 32 places in total. At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and judged safeguarding effective, while identifying improvements needed in responsive teaching and staff coaching.

The strongest examples from that visit are concrete: children acting out stories, spotting a caterpillar and putting on their own coats. They give parents a picture of learning through conversation, play and practical independence.

In October 2022, books prompted children to predict events and join in storytelling through movement. Children also chose books to explore with a friend or soft toy. Reading involved both shared activity and quieter exploration.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the October 2022 examples show how conversation, counting and discovery can sit within play: children counted spiders outdoors, compared toy animals and talked about weather affecting leaves.

During that visit, staff used an outdoor telephone to encourage listening and conversation, and connected songs with children's pretend play. These were practical opportunities to use language. Teaching was less consistent when an activity needed changing: a story session continued despite children showing a need to move, and questioning did not always extend what children already knew.

In October 2022, children new to the setting had formed bonds with staff, and adults offered extra comfort when children became upset. Familiar routines included tidying resources and sitting together for lunch. Staff also helped children who struggled to manage their behaviour.

Everyday care offered opportunities for independence during that visit. Children handled spoons, put on coats and practised using the toilet for themselves. These small tasks matter because participation in daily routines is part of preparing children to manage more for themselves.

Butterflies Preschool is on Rothesay Road, Heysham, Morecambe, LA3 2UP. Opening hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures on bank holidays and for a week at Christmas and a week in August.

In October 2022, session windows ran from 8am to midday and from 1pm to 5pm, with an all-day option too. Funded early education for children aged two, three and four was also part of the offer at that time.

• Teaching that adapts. In October 2022, activities did not consistently change in response to children's needs, and coaching expertise was not shared effectively by every leader. For families, the important issue is how staff keep children engaged and extend their learning.
• Attendance and funding. The October 2022 offer combined shorter sessions with all-day attendance and funded early education. At a visit, which current booking and funding arrangements would fit your child's week?

Butterflies Preschool suits families with children aged two to four who value storytelling, conversational play and growing independence. Its October 2022 practice provides useful examples of those priorities, balanced by clear weaknesses in adapting teaching and spreading staff expertise. Morning, afternoon and all-day attendance formed its offer at that visit; the present opening window spans the working day.