Westgate Pre-School

Story choices became language lessons at Westgate Pre-School: in April 2023, children voted for books and explored words about quantity through the results. Everyday play had a clear learning purpose. At its 28 April 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good overall.

Westgate has capacity for 36 children and is based on Braddon Close in Morecambe. Children attending in April 2023 were aged two to four. The inspection's main reservations concerned lunchtime organisation and how precisely activities matched children's next learning steps.

In April 2023, the setting operated within St Martin's Church Hall and its meeting room. Indoor and outdoor layouts let children choose materials and activities independently. Paper cutting offered practice with scissors, while a den became an imaginary cave from a favourite story. These were concrete opportunities to make choices, practise physical skills and develop pretend play.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2023 curriculum put communication and language centre stage: story voting gave staff opportunities to explain vocabulary, and passing a ball around a group gave children practice taking turns.

Challenge needed closer attention. In April 2023, some older children could already complete the number puzzles offered to them, but staff did not consistently extend activities beyond what children could do. For families, the useful distinction is between an enjoyable task and one that teaches something new.

In April 2023, settling sessions included parents, helping families build a relationship with their child's key person before attendance began. Parents received updates about their children's development and were invited to events during the year. Older children also helped younger ones find tissues, giving everyday care a social dimension.

At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that the special educational needs coordinator's work with families and outside agencies was meeting children's additional needs. Staff training covered recognising potential harm and responding to concerns.

Lunchtime was less settled in April 2023: children called across tables and moved around despite reminders to sit down. Clearer organisation and expectations were needed to make this part of the day work better.

The address is Braddon Close, Morecambe, LA4 4UZ. In April 2023, opening hours were 9.30am to 3.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, during term time. At that date, the pre-school received early education funding for children aged two, three and four.

• Lunchtime expectations. The April 2023 findings called for a better organised lunch routine and clearer guidance for children. This matters for families who value a predictable mealtime.
• Stretching learning. In April 2023, activities did not consistently build on children's existing skills. Matching challenge to the individual child is an important consideration for confident learners.
• Attendance planning. How do today's attendance and funded-hour arrangements compare with the term-time pattern in April 2023?

Westgate's April 2023 picture suits parents who value language-rich play, opportunities for independence and settling alongside a key person. Story voting and imaginative den play give that picture substance. The balance is clear: a Good inspection judgement, with specific improvements needed in lunchtime routines and the precision of learning activities.