Hey Diddle Diddle Pre School Nursery

Colour mixing with pipettes, food growing and parachute play on a field give Hey Diddle Diddle Pre School Nursery a practical, hands-on character in its November 2022 account. Based at Chorley Village Hall in Lichfield, it has 35 places in total for children aged 24 to 60 months.

At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective, while identifying improvements needed in group singing and physical challenge for older children. Those two points matter alongside the engaging activities.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: activities should build skills as well as provide opportunities to play. In November 2022, staff used children's emerging interests and individual learning goals to shape activities. Mixing coloured liquids with pipettes exercised the hand movements children would later need for writing.

Older children had daily group learning in November 2022, covering early literacy and mathematical ideas, with opportunities to answer questions and share experiences from home. For Remembrance Day, children made poppies using cardboard, leaves and petals, connecting a creative activity with discussion of the occasion.

Outside, the November 2022 activities included moving a parachute together on the field and growing lettuce, peppers and tomatoes. These gave children experience of following directions, cooperating and caring for plants. Tyres and low climbing equipment offered younger children physical tests, but some older, more capable children needed greater challenge.

In November 2022, staff observed play and used assessments to plan children's next learning steps. An early communication screening tool helped identify language difficulties and shape additional help; the special educational needs coordinator worked with local authority advisers to arrange support.

Relationships with families were supported in November 2022 through parent meetings and daily conversations about learning, giving parents detail they could use at home. Staff recognised effort alongside achievement and modelled positive behaviour. Children also served their own healthy snacks, practising independence during everyday routines.

Individual staff support meetings and monitoring of practice in November 2022 helped identify training needs. The manager sought views from children, parents and staff, and worked with other early years providers and local authority advisers to set improvement priorities.

The address is Chorley Village Hall, Shute Hill, Lichfield, WS13 8DA. Current opening hours are 9.15am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the nursery closes for school holidays.

In November 2022, session times ran from 9.15am to 3.15pm, with Thursday ending at 12.15pm. At that date, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. These are dated arrangements rather than a current booking or funding offer.

• Joining and funding. For this term-time setting, ask at a visit which attendance patterns and funded arrangements would fit your child.
• Joining in with singing. In November 2022, quieter children sometimes missed opportunities to participate in group songs. Explore how staff now help reluctant children take part.
• Challenge for older children. November 2022 physical play did not stretch some older, more capable children enough. Ask how outdoor activities progress as children's confidence grows.

Hey Diddle Diddle suits families seeking term-time preschool care within a daytime opening window. Its November 2022 account gives concrete examples of practical learning, family communication and everyday independence. Participation in singing and the level of physical challenge deserve attention when weighing that account against your child's needs.