Boley Park Pre-School

A spider's web became a lesson in shapes, counting and close observation at Boley Park Pre-School in March 2023. Magnifying glasses and water painting gave children different ways to explore the same discovery. That small example captures the practical, play-led character of this community-hall setting.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 7 March 2023. It has 30 places in total at Boley Park Community Hall in Lichfield; the children attending at the inspection were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the March 2023 examples included learning language, movement and early mathematics through play.

In March 2023, children could move freely between indoors and the outdoor area. Tricycles, scooters and balance bicycles offered different physical challenges, while a climbing frame added opportunities to climb and slide. Inside, shaping play dough exercised the smaller movements needed for handling tools and making marks.

Sound games during circle time encouraged children to recognise the beginnings of words. Books extended conversations about animals and their young. Singing Hickory-Dickory Dock and Old Macdonald gave children another route into language, with opportunities to choose animals and invent accompanying movements.

These activities had a clear limitation in March 2023: children who were already more capable did not consistently receive enough extra challenge. The next step was to respond more closely to each child's learning needs, rather than letting a shared activity set the ceiling.

At its March 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well supported, with specialist advice and referrals helping staff address individual needs.

In March 2023, close relationships with staff helped children settle. Adults modelled sharing and taking turns, and children worked together on tidying tasks. Those everyday routines gave them opportunities to practise cooperation.

Communication also had a regular rhythm in March 2023: families received daily information, newsletters each week and online learning updates. Handwashing preceded snacks and lunch, and children asked for more food or drinks themselves. However, adults sometimes carried out tasks children could manage, reducing opportunities to practise independence at snack time.

The address is Boley Park Community Hall, 7 Ryknild Street, Lichfield, WS14 9XU.

In March 2023, attendance was term-time, Monday to Friday. Morning sessions ran from 9.15am to 12.45pm, with a longer Tuesday session ending at 2.15pm. This was a sessional model, with a different Tuesday finish rather than an all-day timetable.

At that time, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Challenge for confident learners. In March 2023, the most capable children were not consistently stretched. Ask how activities now develop when a child has already mastered the starting task.
• Independence at snack time. Adults sometimes did things children could do themselves in March 2023. Discuss how children now take responsibility during this routine.
• Term-time attendance. The March 2023 timetable combined morning sessions with a longer Tuesday. Does the current attendance and funding arrangement fit your family's week?

Boley Park's March 2023 picture combines hands-on exploration, outdoor movement and regular communication with families. Its historical attendance model suits parents considering morning preschool sessions or an extended Tuesday session. The decision points are concrete: enough challenge for capable learners, and enough space for children to manage everyday tasks themselves.