Early Learners Centre Pre School

Fairy lights, chopsticks for drawing in sand, and a raised balancing beam give Early Learners Centre Pre School a recognisable inspection-era character: exploration took several forms, indoors and outside. At its March 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good.

Based at Leyton Parish Hall, the setting has capacity for 34 children aged 24 to 60 months. The strongest practical distinction is its term-time calendar, which fits families seeking childcare around school holidays.

In March 2023, children investigated colour-changing fairy lights in a cosy area, while staff explained the changes. Drawing with chopsticks in a shallow sand tray offered another way to experiment with marks; some children also wrote their names on their pictures. These examples put exploration and early writing alongside each other.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, care and development. Here, the March 2023 activities illustrate learning through play, conversation and practical tasks rather than a day built solely around adult instruction.

Outside that March, children aimed beanbags at hoops and tested their balance on a raised beam. An external sports coach visited regularly. Children also explored Ramadan and vocabulary about sunrise and sunset, and separated rubbish for recycling, connecting everyday actions with wider ideas.

At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receiving individualised help that supported progress from their starting points.

In March 2023, communication included an interactive app, conversations each day and parent evenings. Some parents contributed their skills to activities, giving families a role beyond receiving updates. Emotion puzzles also helped children discuss their feelings with adults and friends.

Independence featured in small routines that March: children used a tissue station, cleaned their hands afterwards and served themselves snacks. Spreading butter on crackers gave them a manageable task to persist with.

The address is Leyton Parish Hall, 72 Lindley Road, Leyton, E10 6QT. Opening hours are 8.45am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the setting closes for school holidays.

In March 2023, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. That describes the funding provision at that date.

• Younger children's group time. In March 2023, lengthy whole-group activities did not hold younger children's attention consistently. On a visit, ask how group time is now adapted for the youngest children.
• Taking turns in conversation. In March 2023, staff applied the golden rules, shared expectations for behaviour, unevenly, allowing children to interrupt each other. Consistent reinforcement matters for children learning to listen to others.
• School-holiday cover. The term-time calendar includes closure during school holidays. Families needing care across the year will need another arrangement for those periods.

Early Learners Centre Pre School suits families whose childcare needs fit a term-time calendar. Its March 2023 daily life combined practical independence, physical play and opportunities to explore language and feelings. The two improvement priorities remain useful decision points: how younger children participate in group activities, and how adults reinforce respectful conversation.