Masons Preschool

Tree climbing, bicycles and caterpillars gave Masons Preschool a practical, outdoors-led character in April 2023. Children moved between indoor play and a garden, exploring living things and testing their physical skills. These are concrete experiences with plenty for young children to investigate.

Ofsted rated the preschool Good on 27 April 2023. It has 30 places in total; those attending in April 2023 were aged two to four. The preschool operates at 48-50 Verdayne Avenue, Croydon, CR0 8TS.

In April 2023, the preschool ran from a Scout Hut in Shirley, Croydon. Low shelving allowed younger children to select materials independently, while older children adapted a painting activity to make handprints. Choice extended to stories: children put their names beside the book they wanted read, giving them a tangible way to take part in group decisions.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2023 examples included sorting objects by colour, preparing fruit and watching caterpillars develop into butterflies: play and everyday tasks brought together early mathematics, practical skills and understanding of living things.

Outdoor activity had substance. In April 2023, children combined water, mud and natural materials in pretend potions, rode bicycles and climbed trees with staff support. Growing vegetables, then cooking and eating the harvest, connected healthy eating with something children had helped produce.

At its April 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, children making good progress and support meeting individual needs, including those of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those receiving additional funding. Staff knew the children and used assessments of their development to inform that support.

In April 2023, weekly emails gave parents activity ideas to try at home. Children's ideas also shaped play, and managing their own coats earned recognition on a board. These small routines linked communication with parents to opportunities for children to do more for themselves.

The address is 48-50 Verdayne Avenue, Croydon, CR0 8TS. In April 2023, opening hours were weekdays from 8.45am to 2.45pm and 9am to 3pm, during term time. This was a daytime, term-time arrangement rather than an evening care offer.

In April 2023, the preschool provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Purposeful group activities. In April 2023, staff sometimes lacked a clear learning aim during shared activities, and children lost concentration. The improvement priority was clearer planning to sustain engagement.
• Home languages and traditions. April 2023 practice gave children too few opportunities to explore their cultural backgrounds. Families bringing different languages or traditions have a specific point to weigh.
• Caring for play spaces. In April 2023, children were not consistently encouraged to put resources away. Building this into routines would give them more responsibility for their surroundings.
• Attendance today. The April 2023 arrangement was term-time daytime care. At a visit, what attendance patterns and funded-hours arrangements would apply to your child now?

Masons Preschool's April 2023 picture suits families drawn to outdoor exploration and children having a say in their play. The garden activities and practical independence stand out. Clearer group learning, greater attention to children's home cultures and more consistent tidying were the counterweights to that positive picture.