Foulds Pre-School

Foulds Pre-School's strongest documented feature is unusually purposeful child-led learning. Ofsted's February 2020 judgement was Outstanding. The quality behind it is clearer in the recorded play: children planned an imaginary house before building it, weighed ingredients while making dough and explored marks in mud after sharing a favourite book.

This is now a historical profile rather than a current childcare option. The exact-provider record now marks Foulds Pre-School as closed.

In February 2020, play carried real intellectual weight. Children used large construction blocks, tools, paper and pens to design and build together. A cooking activity turned measurement into practical early mathematics, while skilled questions helped older children extend both thinking and speech. That combination gave everyday play a clear educational purpose.

The report also recorded songs, counting and French, alongside circle-time discussion of different people, customs and ways of life. Outdoors, children used sticks for mark-making in mud. These examples show how the Early Years Foundation Stage was delivered: its seven areas of learning were woven through practical experiences rather than separated into formal lessons.

Relationships were a major strength in February 2020. Children formed close bonds with staff. Contact with families before the start, a phased introduction and one familiar adult taking responsibility gave newcomers time and continuity as they settled. Parents and staff exchanged detailed information about care, interests, development and achievements, giving adults on both sides a fuller picture of each child.

Support was attentive rather than intrusive. Staff encouraged younger children to manage everyday dressing tasks for themselves, remaining close enough to guide them when needed. Staff tailored each child's next steps to their current development, stretching secure skills and giving focused help where it was needed, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Safeguarding arrangements were effective at that inspection, with highly effective supervision.

The recorded address is Foulds School, Byng Road, Barnet, EN5 4NR. The current official page marks this provider closed, so the historic inspection findings should not be read as describing childcare presently available.

• Current status. The official record marks this exact provider as closed. Families need a different active registration rather than relying on this historic profile.
• Date of the evidence. The detailed account of play, relationships and safeguarding comes from February 2020. It explains the former provision well, but it is not evidence of a current team or offer.

Foulds Pre-School earned an Outstanding judgement in 2020 through thoughtful teaching, strong relationships and ambitious child-led play. The house-building plans, dough mathematics and carefully supported independence make the quality behind that grade easy to understand. However, the official record now marks the provider as closed. It therefore suits families researching the history of the former setting, not those seeking either part-week sessions or full-day childcare now.