Mulberry Outdoor Preschool

A campfire gathering, bridge-building with crates and planks, and tadpoles to study give Mulberry Outdoor Preschool its outdoor character. In March 2024, these were practical starting points for conversation, cooperation and discovery, rather than simply time spent outside.

Ofsted rated the preschool Good on 25 March 2024 and judged its safeguarding arrangements effective. The children attending at that inspection were aged two to four.

In March 2024, children gathered around the campfire for songs and turns at speaking. Conversations about eagles encouraged questions and discussion about what animals eat. This gave children something concrete to talk about, with others listening to their ideas.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: here, the March 2024 activities connected play with language, movement and early mathematical ideas. Studying tadpoles led to new vocabulary, finger painting and discussion of shapes. Building a bridge from crates and wooden planks brought cooperation together with balance and coordination.

Outdoor resources offered different kinds of challenge in March 2024. Children rode bicycles over slopes, while older children used a tap to fill buckets independently. Mixing sand with water prompted experiments with materials. These examples show the practical character of the learning: children could test an idea and see what happened.

At the March 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children developed trusting relationships with staff, settled readily and made good progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, whose learning needs were identified and supported promptly.

During March 2024, staff helped children cooperate, share resources and care for their surroundings. Collecting litter made that responsibility tangible. Independence also featured in personal care, with children using toilets, tissues and outdoor handwashing stations.

Meals and snacks were healthy in March 2024, and fruit peel went to the compost area, connecting snack time with learning about sustainability. Staff also regularly shared developmental information with parents, helping learning continue at home.

The address is Mulberry Centre, 12a Calais Street, London SE5 9LP.

In March 2024, attendance ran from Monday to Friday during term time, with sessions from 8.30am to 3.30pm. The preschool offered funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time. These are dated attendance and funding arrangements, rather than a statement of today's offer.

• Extending children's learning. In March 2024, staff did not consistently make activities challenging enough to develop children's existing knowledge and skills. Families should weigh this improvement point alongside the practical, engaging activities.
• Term-time attendance. The March 2024 pattern followed school terms and ended at 3.30pm. At a visit, what attendance and funded-hours arrangements now apply?

Mulberry's March 2024 provision would suit families seeking outdoor exploration and practical learning through materials, living things and conversation. Its term-time session pattern would suit families whose childcare needs fit the school calendar and an afternoon finish. The Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, balanced by the need to extend children's learning more consistently.