Lincoln Hall Preschool, The Linc Centre

Conversation, cooperative play and growing independence give this Bow preschool its character. Lincoln Hall Preschool, The Linc Centre caters for children aged two to five and has 40 places in total. Its December 2023 practice centred on helping children settle, manage emotions and play together.

At its 4 December 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good, found effective safeguarding arrangements and recognised support for children with SEND and those learning English as an additional language. Later safeguarding compliance findings also matter to the decision.

In December 2023, the curriculum gave particular attention to social and emotional development. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, play, conversation and practical activities made that learning concrete.

Ice and water play introduced vocabulary about melting, while puppets and props helped children engage with stories and anticipate endings. A threading activity gave children opportunities to persist with a challenge, learn from each other and seek help. Daily garden time supported physical development alongside activities for smaller movements.

Independence had a practical limitation. In December 2023, children could not access some materials independently and waited for adults to supply items such as scoops. Improving resource organisation was an identified next step, alongside addressing smaller gaps in practitioners' work. For families, the useful distinction is between activities that invite exploration and materials children can actually choose for themselves.

In December 2023, settling sessions gathered information from parents so activities could reflect children's needs. Staff sat alongside children for conversations, allowed time for replies and used encouragement to support participation. Handwashing was part of learning about health.

Observations and assessments were shared with parents, together with ideas for learning at home. Parent workshops and work with other professionals also formed part of support. Staff development included individual targets, although some practice still needed refinement.

Ofsted's May 2024 compliance outcome recorded a satisfactory response to actions concerning prompt safeguarding referrals and staff supervision, while its January 2025 outcome recorded further non-compliance followed by changes to behaviour support and staff understanding of safeguarding responsibilities. In January 2025, the changes included reviewing the behaviour policy and giving staff opportunities to discuss safeguarding procedures. These later findings qualify the earlier safeguarding judgement; neither outcome is a new graded inspection.

The address is The Linc Centre, 70 Fern Street, Bow, E3 3PR. Opening hours are 8.30am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with closure during school holidays.

In December 2023, attendance was organised into morning sessions from 8.45am to 11.45am and afternoon sessions from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, across 38 weeks. These are the inspection-era booking patterns, separate from the current opening window.

At that time, the preschool received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Safeguarding follow-through. The May 2024 and January 2025 outcomes describe corrective action after further findings. Discuss how safeguarding reporting, staff supervision and behaviour support now work in daily practice.
• Independent play. In December 2023, children sometimes waited for adults to supply materials. How are resources organised now so children can choose and use them independently?
• Term-time attendance. School-holiday closure shapes the childcare plan. Which current booking pattern would fit your family, given the earlier morning and afternoon arrangements?

This is a preschool to consider for families who value conversation, practical play and support with settling and independence. Its inspection-era morning and afternoon patterns served different parts of the day, while its current term-time opening requires a school-holiday plan. The Good judgement deserves weight, alongside careful attention to the later safeguarding findings and corrective action.