Sparkles Pre-School

Garden climbing and cycling shaped daily play at Sparkles Pre-School in July 2022, when it operated from a church hall and combined indoor activities with physical exploration outdoors. It has 27 places in total, at Shirley Parish Halls in Croydon. At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and judged safeguarding effective.

Children attending in July 2022 were aged two to four. The account of their day brings out friendships, growing independence and conversation, alongside specific improvements needed in garden access, afternoon activities and information-sharing with other settings.

In July 2022, children used a climbing frame and rode bikes along a surrounding path, with garden access each day. These gave them opportunities to practise balance and movement, although some children hesitated to cross the bike route to reach other activities.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. In July 2022, play linked these together: children explored patterns using sand and art materials, compared the sizes of blueberries and encountered new vocabulary through lavender-scented play dough. Everyday materials became starting points for conversation and mathematical thinking.

Story sessions encouraged children to join in. Older children invented games together, while younger children played beside one another. There was a difference between sessions, however: staff prepared the room for the morning but did not refresh its arrangement for the afternoon, when children showed less enthusiasm.

In July 2022, children turned to their key persons for comfort, and practitioners balanced help with opportunities to attempt tasks independently. Children also talked with adults about feeling anxious before starting school, giving emotions a place in everyday conversation.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that children progressed well, including in communication, and that staff used observations and assessments to put support in place promptly for children needing extra help.

Parents received progress updates through online records in July 2022. Staff used walkie-talkies to communicate across different parts of the premises, and leaders held supervision discussions and arranged training. Children practised handwashing around meals, ate fruit snacks and drank water during sessions.

The address is Shirley Parish Halls, Wickham Road, Shirley, Croydon, CR0 8TB.

In July 2022, opening hours were 9.30am to 2.30pm on weekdays during term time. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time. This describes the preschool's inspection-era operating pattern.

• Garden movement. In July 2022, the bike path made some children reluctant to reach other parts of the garden. At a visit, how are the garden layout, afternoon activities and information-sharing with other settings organised now?
• Afternoon experience. In July 2022, the room arrangement was not refreshed after the morning. Families considering afternoon attendance should weigh the importance of equally engaging activities across sessions.
• Shared starting points. In July 2022, partnerships with other settings needed strengthening so staff could understand children's starting points more accurately. This matters for children attending more than one provider.

Sparkles' July 2022 picture merits consideration for families drawn to garden play, close key-person relationships and learning through familiar materials. Those inspection-era strengths came with practical weaknesses that matter to a child's day. The term-time, daytime opening pattern recorded then would suit families seeking preschool hours around the school calendar.