The Coton Green Church Pre-School

Outdoor exploration and language-rich play shaped The Coton Green Church Pre-School's day at its April 2022 inspection. At its April 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received good support. The practical setting is The Coton Centre in Tamworth, with capacity for 35 children and a current offer starting from age 2.

The April 2022 picture was concrete: children experimented with ice, explored a large sand area and used stories to talk about feelings. These were experiences with a purpose, connecting physical activity, conversation and discovery. Term-time sessions run from 9am to 3pm.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2022 curriculum built new learning on what children could already do, with particular emphasis on language and communication. Staff introduced vocabulary during play: a colour-changing rice activity became an opportunity to explain absorption, while discussion of animals active at night drew on children's earlier knowledge.

In April 2022, spring and Easter supplied practical material for exploration. Children squeezed warm water from pipettes onto ice and used hammers to uncover objects frozen inside it. The activities combined careful hand movements with larger physical actions, giving children different ways to investigate the same material.

Stories involved participation rather than listening alone. In April 2022, children joined an egg-hunt story by making animal noises and searching for eggs. A reading book scheme also sent books home, connecting preschool reading with time spent together as a family. There was a qualification: quieter children sometimes had too little opportunity to contribute during group activities.

Outdoor and Community Life

In April 2022, outdoor play included balls travelling along guttering, toys children could ride or push, a large sand area and a role-play kitchen. Comparing how quickly balls moved gave physical play an element of investigation. The grounds also provided extensive space for outdoor exploration and learning about nature.

These details give parents a useful picture of the preschool's earlier day: movement, pretend play and experimentation sat alongside books and conversation. The outdoor area was part of the learning experience, rather than simply a place to expend energy.

In April 2022, children turned to staff for comfort when uncertain, and younger children involved adults in pretend medical play. That combination of reassurance and shared play matters: children could seek support while continuing to explore their own ideas.

Emotional language was made tangible. In April 2022, older children selected wooden spoons painted with different expressions to explain how they felt after a story about emotions. Staff also helped children express objections politely and request toys from friends. This gave children words to use when play became difficult, alongside practice in sharing and taking turns.

Support for children with SEND in April 2022 included individual adult help, progress reports, learning targets and collaboration with other professionals. These are specific mechanisms for helping a child participate with peers. Families considering that support should distinguish the arrangements described at that date from what their own child would need now.

Everyday care routines also supported learning in April 2022. Children washed their hands around outdoor play and eating, and some brushed their teeth after lunch. However, routines needed to give younger children more opportunities to do things independently. Communication with parents also needed strengthening so families could extend learning at home.

Sessions and Attendance

The preschool operates during term time, with sessions between 9am and 3pm, and accepts children from age 2. This places its attendance window within the daytime rather than extending into early mornings or evenings. Enquiries go to preschool@cotongreenchurch.co.uk or by telephone on 01827 60789, selecting option 2.

Getting There

The address is The Coton Centre, Coton Green Church, Comberford Road, Tamworth, B79 9AA. The centre has free parking on site, a useful practical feature for families travelling by car.

Funding and Paid Extras

In April 2022, the preschool provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Current prices come in the preschool's written quotation.

• Term-time attendance. Sessions run from 9am to 3pm during term time. Families should weigh that window against work commitments and the care they need during holidays.
• Quieter voices and independence. In April 2022, group activities needed to give less-confident children more space to contribute, and routines needed to encourage younger children's independence. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how those priorities shape the day now.
• Learning at home. In April 2022, books went home through the reading book scheme, but communication needed to help parents extend learning further. Discuss how staff share a child's next learning steps, alongside the current funded-hours and extras arrangements.

For families seeking term-time preschool within a 9am to 3pm session window, Coton Green merits consideration. Its April 2022 strengths were practical and recognisable: outdoor investigation, purposeful vocabulary and activities that helped children express feelings. The same dated assessment identified useful questions about quieter children's participation, independence and communication with parents. Those priorities deserve attention alongside the Good judgement.