Poppins Pre-School

Melting ice, play dough and a role-play hairdresser gave children practical ways to explore, experiment and play together at Poppins Pre-School in January 2023. This is a preschool with a hands-on character in its inspection-era daily life, rather than learning confined to adult-led activities.

Poppins serves children aged 24 to 60 months at the Lampard Centre in Gillingham. At its 27 January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good overall. It operates during term time.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: play supports language, physical skills and growing independence alongside adult guidance.

In January 2023, staff adapted activities to children's interests, including an interest in sea creatures. Children investigated melting ice with tweezers and measuring cups, planning to return later to see whether the ice had changed further. That gave them a concrete reason to predict and compare.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears introduced ideas about size and quantity through story props. A pretend hairdresser encouraged turn-taking and gentle treatment of others. Daily garden play included ride-on cars, giving children opportunities to practise steering and movement around other children.

There were limits to the adult interaction. In January 2023, questions sometimes restricted children's answers, and staff sometimes moved on before children had enough time to respond. More opportunities to explore children's cultural backgrounds were also needed.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, assessed support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities positively, and found that children progressed well from their individual starting points.

In January 2023, a key person built relationships with each child, and settling sessions were adjusted individually after families met the team. Staff used children's interests to plan activities, making relationships useful to learning as well as comfort.

Support included individual help and work in small groups. Music and gentle massage helped children manage their emotions, while staff learnt words in children's home languages to support communication. Children also practised everyday independence at the snack bar, peeling fruit and spreading butter on bread. These were small tasks with a clear purpose: doing more for themselves.

The address is Lampard Centre, Sally Port Gardens, Gillingham, ME7 5BU. Opening hours are 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday, during term time; the preschool closes for school holidays. That calendar matters as much as the daily hours for families arranging childcare around work.

In January 2023, Poppins received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated funding position, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• Language and thinking. January 2023 findings identified restrictive questions and insufficient response time. How have staff changed their questioning and opportunities to explore children's cultural heritage since then?
• Holiday cover. Poppins closes during school holidays. Families needing childcare throughout the year will need arrangements that cover those breaks.

Poppins suits families seeking term-time preschool care, with opening hours that finish at 16:00. Its January 2023 daily life combined practical investigation, stories, outdoor movement and individually tailored support. The dated Good judgement provides a useful starting point; the specific improvements around conversation and cultural learning deserve attention when choosing it.