Abertots Play

In March 2025, dough flowers, garden planting and conversations woven through play shaped Abertots Play's preschool day. This Poplar preschool has 28 places in total. At its March 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good overall and judged safeguarding effective.

In March 2025, children attending were aged two to four, and the preschool operated during term time. The strongest practical thread was independence: children chose activities, helped with tasks and managed parts of snack time themselves.

In March 2025, learning combined making, talking and movement. Children built with blocks, shaped dough with tools and experimented with scissors, crayons and chalk. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care; here, counting during construction and discussing shapes brought learning into play.

The garden supplied another kind of classroom. Children grew vegetables and fruit, observed moving trees and explored nature. Climbing, rockers and hoops supported balance, while finger gym equipment and tools exercised the small muscles used for writing. These activities gave children different ways to practise physical control.

Conversation ran through the day. Staff extended vocabulary through stories and songs, asked questions and listened to children's ideas. Cultural and religious celebrations introduced the wider community, while support for home languages sat alongside learning English.

At the March 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children, including those with SEND and those experiencing disadvantage, made good progress, with activities adapted to include children with SEND.

In March 2025, settling began with information from parents about children's abilities and interests. Staff used observations and assessments to spot developmental gaps, then worked with parents on referrals for additional help. Signs, repeated sounds and individual words supported communication. Staff also modelled manners, discussed feelings and reminded children about sharing.

Parent communication had a clear weakness alongside progress reports and next steps: families did not consistently receive curriculum updates or ideas for extending learning at home. Leaders also needed to gather parents' views when evaluating provision. Staff supervision and continuing professional development supported reflection on practice, and recruitment included suitability checks.

At snack time in March 2025, children chose food and cleared their plates, eating vegetables and fruit and drinking water. Hygiene routines and conversations about oral health added everyday health learning.

Abertots Play is at 96 Burcham Street, Poplar, London E14 0SH.

In March 2025, opening hours were 8.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. Government-funded childcare was offered, and the preschool received additional funding for disadvantaged children. That timetable placed attendance within the daytime and term-time calendar.

• Learning beyond preschool. March 2025 identified inconsistent curriculum updates and home-learning ideas. Ask how these are now shared with families.
• Parents' influence. Gathering parents' views was a March 2025 improvement priority. Ask how family feedback now shapes changes.
• Attendance fit. The March 2025 timetable ran from 8.30am to 3pm during term time. How would the current booking arrangements fit your family's week?

Abertots Play's March 2025 picture suits families drawn to conversation, practical making and growing things outdoors. In March 2025, children's choices and conversations with staff supported independence and communication. The term-time daytime timetable and parent-communication improvement priorities describe that inspection period.