Andover Pre School

An outdoor obstacle course and number play give Andover Pre School a clear character in its November 2022 account: physical confidence and everyday mathematics shared the day. Ofsted rated the setting Good on 24 November 2022. It has 28 places in total, on the Andover Estate in Islington.

The children attending in November 2022 were aged two to four. That dated picture gives families concrete strengths to weigh, alongside two concerns about how group learning was organised.

In November 2022, the early years foundation stage shaped learning around children's development and interests, with particular emphasis on communication, physical skills and personal development. In practice, this meant stories, movement and play rather than a day built solely around adult-led tasks.

The outdoor obstacle course gave children opportunities to balance, climb and test their movements, with staff encouraging them to persist. Daily stories prompted discussion about characters and possible endings; adults explained unfamiliar vocabulary rather than simply reading aloud.

Number work extended into play, including comparisons of length and height and exploration of shapes. There was a limitation, however: some group mathematics activities gave children too little opportunity to handle the materials themselves. Long carpet sessions also reduced attention. These are useful distinctions for parents who value active learning.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including development targets agreed with parents and involved professionals.

In November 2022, key people provided a familiar relationship, while staff comforted upset children and helped them talk about feelings. Children practised managing their own personal care, including handwashing. These routines connected emotional support with growing independence.

Families received updates about learning and development. The manager also worked alongside practitioners in the rooms, creating opportunities to develop teaching through everyday practice.

The address is 49-50 Corker Walk, Central Square Andover Estate, Islington, London N7 7RY. Attendance is term-time.

In November 2022, the setting received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position, rather than a promise of entitlement for an individual family.

• Active mathematics. In November 2022, some group activities restricted children's exploration of practical materials. Hands-on participation matters as much as the number content itself.
• Carpet-session length. Some sessions in November 2022 lasted long enough for attention to drop. The balance between group listening and active play deserves attention during a visit.
• Term-time planning. Attendance is term-time. How would the current booking and funded-hours arrangements fit your family's working week?

Andover Pre School merits consideration for families seeking term-time provision, especially those drawn to the November 2022 picture of outdoor movement, stories and mathematics through play. The Good judgement sits alongside specific improvements needed in group-session length and practical participation. Those details give parents a more useful basis for choosing than the grade alone.