Lilliput Preschool

Magnetic blocks, garden parachute games and a Braille alphabet give Lilliput Preschool's February 2024 experience its character: practical learning with attention to how individual children join in. The setting has 24 places in total and is on Springpark Drive, London N4 2NP.

At its February 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The main improvement required was greater consistency in helping children do things for themselves.

In February 2024, learning combined conversation, movement and practical tasks. The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care; here, play included building hand strength with magnetic blocks and learning to handle cutting equipment safely. These were purposeful activities with a clear next step for the child.

Speech practice happened during play. Adults discussed children's play-dough creations, helped with pronunciation and introduced vocabulary. Circle time gave quieter children opportunities to sing and greet their friends. Counting other children brought mathematical language into everyday activity.

The garden supported shared play. Children moved a parachute together, danced and used a sand timer to manage turns on bikes. The timer made waiting concrete: children had a visible way to understand whose turn came next.

At the February 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff knew their key children well and planned their next steps, while SEND support included tailored games and use of a Braille alphabet for children needing visual assistance. Stop-and-go games in small groups gave children practice in listening, sharing and taking turns.

In February 2024, children had close relationships with staff and were settled. Adults modelled considerate behaviour, and children treated one another kindly. Parents interviewed during that visit valued communication and described growing confidence in their children's speech.

Health education was practical too: children cleaned model teeth and discussed sugar and dental health. Staff received supervision and training, with an open-door arrangement for raising concerns. That supported opportunities to discuss practice within the team.

Sessions and Attendance

In February 2024, the setting operated within Woodberrydown Children's Centre in Hackney. Its term-time pattern ran Monday to Friday, with morning sessions from 9am to midday and afternoon sessions from 1pm to 4pm. These were separate attendance patterns rather than a continuous day.

Funding and Paid Extras

In February 2024, funded early education was offered for children aged two, three and four. Families should obtain current prices in a written quotation.

• Independence needs consistency. In February 2024, children cleared away toys and cutlery, but adults sometimes took over coats and nose wiping. Ask how practitioners now help children attempt these tasks themselves.
• Term-time session planning. February 2024's morning and afternoon pattern fitted care around part of the day. How does the current booking arrangement fit your family's weekly schedule?

Lilliput's February 2024 experience would suit families seeking morning or afternoon preschool sessions, with conversation, practical learning and cooperative garden play. The strongest examples were tangible: a sand timer for sharing bikes, tailored listening games and accessible learning through a Braille alphabet. Consistent encouragement of independence was the point needing attention.