Sandfield Pre-School

Sweet-pea measuring, outdoor balancing and preparation for school give Sandfield Pre-School's July 2022 picture its character. Practical play runs through the account, with language development a clear emphasis.

Ofsted rated the setting Good at its 4 July 2022 inspection. Sandfield has capacity for 40 children; the children attending at that visit were aged two to six, an inspection-time age range.

In July 2022, children explored numbers by measuring growing sweet peas. Stepping stones and tyres provided balancing challenges, extended by carrying a beanbag on the head. These were concrete ways to bring counting and coordination into play.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2022 examples included imaginative dough play, stories, songs and rhymes, linking hands-on exploration with communication.

Outside, a garden shelter supported play in different weather conditions. Children also played Mr Wolf, taking turns in the chasing game. Both examples belong to July 2022, rather than describing today's outdoor provision.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described staff training that helped practitioners support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including using signs to aid understanding.

During that month, staff used both English and children's home languages to support communication. They gathered information about children's starting points and shared development updates with parents, connecting learning at home with activities in the setting.

School preparation was tangible in July 2022: children visited a school, met their future teacher and experienced lunchtime there. Familiarity with those routines gave the transition work a practical purpose.

The address is Sandfield Close Primary School, Sandfield Close, Leicester, LE4 7RE. In July 2022, the pre-school operated independently within the school's grounds. Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

The July 2022 attendance pattern was Monday to Friday in school terms, with sessions running from 7.45am to 4.15pm and an occasional summer-holiday playscheme. Funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds was part of the offer at that time.

• Conversation and independence. The July 2022 improvement priorities concerned helping children listen to others and take turns in group conversations and giving older children more opportunities to manage tasks themselves, including age-appropriate cutlery. Ask how these skills are developed now.
• Planning attendance. The July 2022 pattern centred on school terms, with occasional summer provision. Which sessions, holiday arrangements and funded-hour options would fit your child's current age and your working week?
• School transition. July 2022 practice included teacher meetings and a school lunchtime experience. This supported familiarity with school routines, rather than conferring an admissions advantage.

Sandfield merits consideration for families who value practical learning and preparation for school. Its July 2022 strengths included language work, physical challenges and tangible transition activities. The balance is important: group conversation and older children's independence also needed attention. Families considering term-time attendance or occasional summer playscheme care have a useful historical picture to discuss alongside their present requirements.