345 Springfield

An allotment, woodland and real woodwork give 345 Springfield a character that is unusually rooted in making and outdoor discovery. This is a small, term-time preschool for children aged two to four at The Grove, Alexandra Park, with capacity for 27 children. It is sessional day care rather than an all-year, long-day nursery.

Ofsted rated the setting Outstanding at its July 2022 inspection, with the same judgement across education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The report found children highly independent, confident in conversation and secure in their relationships. Its examples were specific: children predicted what would happen to a fizzing mini volcano, selected binoculars to study the London skyline and used a sand timer to manage turns on a rope swing.

Families can choose published morning, afternoon, full-day and extended-pick-up patterns on weekdays during term time. That range gives some useful flexibility within a preschool day, but it will not suit families who need early starts, late finishes or school-holiday care.

Learning and Named Experiences

Learning through Play is the provider's stated approach to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In practice, this means children can follow their interests indoors and outside while adults also lead singing, cooking and games. The framework covers the knowledge, skills and development expected in the early years; here, the published model turns that into choices, practical experiences and small or large group work rather than a school-like timetable.

Springfield's named offer has substance. A weekly cooking club sits alongside woodwork and responsibility for maintaining an allotment. The wider curriculum describes seasonal experiences including autumn leaf collecting, growing pumpkins and Easter cooking. These are group-wide examples rather than promises that every activity happens on a fixed cycle at this branch, but the cooking club, woodwork and allotment are all explicitly listed for Springfield.

In July 2022, inspectors saw staff build early writing into children's interests. Children recorded dinosaurs found in a fossil dig, while books appeared throughout the setting and children made their own stories. Adults modelled precise vocabulary, prompting children to describe using a pipette and splitting a tea bag to inspect its leaves. The implication is a curriculum in which language and literacy are threaded through play, not saved for a formal lesson.

Outdoor and Community Life

The physical environment is a major strength. Springfield publishes exclusive use of a bright, spacious indoor area with children's artwork, a book corner and a home corner. Outside, children can use a large space throughout the session in all weathers, including a woodland area intended for multisensory play.

The 2022 inspection gives a clearer picture of what that space enabled at the time. Children hunted for insects, made clay models from natural objects and painted with mud. In the garden they directed a drumming activity, compared sounds and suggested songs; elsewhere they climbed ladders, rode bikes and assessed risk on a climbing frame. This is energetic, child-led provision with adults extending the learning rather than taking it over.

Relationships and Communication

Every child is assigned a key person whose published responsibilities include settling, reassurance, attending to interests and needs, and working with parents on the child's developmental profile. A digital app provides ongoing activity updates, supplemented by an end-of-year or term book or folder. This gives families both an immediate window into nursery and a more lasting record of learning.

Parent participation goes further than updates. Each setting offers a rota for parents or carers to volunteer during a session, and parent representatives support communication and fundraising. The charitable company is overseen by a parent-led committee, with parents able to become members and directors. That is meaningful involvement, although families should consider whether the participatory model matches the time and role they want.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Each setting has a special educational needs coordinator. At the July 2022 inspection, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities were identified quickly and received individual support, while leaders invested in staff training on sensory regulation, wellbeing and children who speak English as an additional language. Families seeking additional support therefore have a clear starting point for a detailed conversation about their child's current plan.

Safeguarding was judged effective in 2022. Staff understood reporting routes and used indoor and outdoor risk assessments, including for the woodland; children were also taught practical safety when using real tools and carrying scissors. Current woodwork and woodland risk management belong among the setting-specific points for a tour.

Food is simple: parents provide a packed lunch when needed. Children prepared their own fruit at snack time during the inspection.

Sessions and Attendance

345 Springfield is at The Grove, Alexandra Park, London N22 7AY. Both 345 Preschools settings publish weekday, term-time operation. Morning sessions run from 9am to noon and afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. A full day runs from 9am to 3pm, with collection extended to 3.30pm for an additional charge. The half-hour gap between morning and afternoon matters for families combining arrangements.

The setting accepts children aged two to four. Capacity is 27 children in total; this is not a statement about current vacancies.

Funding and Paid Extras

The provider participates in government-funded childcare, and eligible parents may use all or part of their entitlement here. Funding is administered through Haringey Council and the provision remains term-time only.

Private sessions are charged, with fees payable termly in advance. The services and fees page also says the later full-day collection carries an additional charge.

• Term-time model. Care is published for weekdays during school terms, with the longest day ending at 3.30pm. Families needing holidays, early mornings or evening care will need another arrangement.
• Session combinations. Morning, afternoon, full-day and extended collection are listed. Ask which combinations can currently be booked and how the midday gap works.
• Parent-led structure. A volunteering rota and parent committee create genuine routes into nursery life. Ask what participation normally looks like if you want either a hands-on role or a lighter commitment.
• Practical supplies. Packed lunches come from home. Confirm the daily packing list, including snacks and non-food consumables, before accepting a place.

345 Springfield is best suited to families wanting a focused preschool experience with mornings, afternoons or school-length full days rather than all-year childcare. The weekly cooking club, woodwork, allotment and unusually large woodland-backed outdoor area make the offer tangible. Its July 2022 Outstanding judgement is supported by memorable evidence of ambitious language, early writing, scientific enquiry and confident physical play.

The trade-off is equally clear. Hours are bounded by the school day and term calendar, lunches come from home, and some practical charge details require a direct conversation. For a two- to four-year-old who thrives on outdoor exploration, purposeful independence and parents being welcomed into the life of the setting, this is a compelling option.