Madginford Pre-School

Shared block-building, butterfly pictures and visits to the local library give Madginford Pre-School's May 2023 account its character: learning through conversation, practical tasks and children's interests. At its 11 May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good.

Based at Madginford Hall in Bearsted, it has 28 places in total. The children attending in May 2023 were aged two to four; that age range describes the inspection period.

In May 2023, activities connected new ideas with things children already understood. Making butterfly pictures prompted discussion of life cycles, while building with blocks encouraged children to explain their ideas and solve problems together. Library outings and reading with families extended children's contact with books beyond the pre-school.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2023 examples show what that meant in practice: conversation, creative activities and opportunities to become more independent.

Language support used signing, picture cards and a communication board, giving children different ways to express themselves. Visual prompts and selected words also helped children learning English as an additional language. Activities exploring cultures and countries introduced similarities and differences between people's lives.

There was a teaching limitation too. In May 2023, some activities led by adults stopped short of taking children's learning further. Interesting materials alone were not enough; the next question or challenge mattered.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities as a strength, with individual learning plans developed alongside families and other professionals.

In May 2023, settling arrangements drew on information about home routines, interests and earlier experiences. Children formed close relationships with their key person and familiar practitioners. This gave staff practical knowledge to use when responding to individual needs.

Updates about learning helped parents continue activities at home. Children practised putting on coats, clearing away resources and washing their hands before eating, with staff encouragement to have a go and help when needed. Staff recognised achievements and modelled considerate behaviour.

Staff wellbeing also received attention in May 2023. Supervision discussions covered children and training needs, and workloads were kept manageable. However, the approach to developing staff skills needed more targeted planning.

The address is Madginford Hall, Egremont Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME15 8LH.

In May 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 1pm on Friday, during term time. At that date, the pre-school received funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. These are dated operating arrangements, rather than a statement of today's attendance offer.

• Teaching beyond the activity. In May 2023, adult-led activities sometimes needed greater challenge. Look for how practitioners extend an idea once a child has grasped it.
• Staff development. Targeted professional training was a May 2023 improvement priority. This matters because children's next steps depend on practitioners developing their own skills.
• Attendance fit. The May 2023 timetable was term-time, with an earlier Friday finish. Which current attendance arrangements would fit your family's week?

Madginford's May 2023 picture will appeal to families who value communication support, relationships with familiar staff and practical independence. Its dated term-time timetable also makes it relevant to parents considering care around school terms. The balance is clear: purposeful everyday learning and individual support, alongside a need for more challenge in adult-led activities and sharper staff-development planning.