All Saints Pre School

Children choosing their own key person gives All Saints Pre School a recognisable character: in May 2024, settling centred on the adult each child connected with. Based at All Saints Church Hall in Edgware, it has capacity for 35 children.

At its 15 May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest practical examples were small ones: encouraging a friend, pouring water independently and counting during pretend shopping.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that learning built around children's interests sustained their attention, with language development and early mathematics supporting good progress. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, its everyday expression included conversation, play and practical tasks.

In May 2024, the shopping role-play area gave counting a purpose as children bought eggs. Staff also introduced words for comparing sizes. These were opportunities to connect numbers and language with something children were doing, rather than treating them as separate exercises.

Morning conversations and songs gave children opportunities to describe feelings and listen while someone else spoke. In the garden, sharing resources put those social habits into practice. Daily reminders about behaviour helped children understand the expectations and repeat them to one another.

In May 2024, children selected their key person through the relationships they developed, and parents linked this arrangement with easier settling. Families also felt able to discuss concerns about their children or personal difficulties with staff. That made communication part of the relationship, rather than simply an exchange of messages.

Staff continuity was another feature of that period: retention was high, and training was selected around children's needs. Children heard varied vocabulary during the morning, including those learning English as an additional language.

Visits from a dentist, exercise and conversations about nutritious food supported health education in May 2024. Pouring drinks, preparing fruit and managing their own noses gave children practical opportunities to become more independent.

The address is All Saints Church Hall, Waltham Drive, Edgware, HA8 5PQ.

In May 2024, opening hours were 9am to midday, Monday to Friday, during school terms. At that time, the setting received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. This was a morning-based, term-time arrangement, a practical distinction for families planning care around work.

• Morning attendance. The May 2024 opening pattern covered weekday mornings during term time. Would that pattern fit your working day and holiday arrangements?
• Understanding gender roles. In May 2024, staff needed to give children more consistent help to understand gender roles, differences and similarities. This was the specific improvement priority, relevant to how everyday conversations shape children's expectations.
• Child-led settling. Children chose their key person in May 2024. A visit question worth exploring is how that connection develops during the first sessions.

All Saints Pre School merits consideration for families seeking morning preschool attendance within a term-time routine, based on its May 2024 provision. Its clearest strengths from that period were relationships children helped shape, language woven into play and practical independence. The gender-role improvement priority belongs alongside those positives when weighing the setting.