Sandcastles Pre-school

Woodland walks, dinosaur comparisons and a crocodile puppet used to practise toothbrushing give Sandcastles Pre-school a recognisable character. Based on Barrington Street in Tiverton, it has capacity for 46 children. Its strongest detail comes from the everyday experiences recorded in May 2023.

At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and praised the support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those learning English as an additional language. Children attending then were aged 0 to 4. That age range describes the inspection period.

In May 2023, learning included small physical challenges: babies sorted shapes and painted with brushes, toddlers persevered with tweezers to pick up lentils, and children drew circles and triangles in chalk outdoors. These activities gave hand control and concentration a practical purpose.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2023 examples included language through books and songs, mathematics through comparing dinosaur horns, and exploration through watching insects.

Woodland walks around the site also featured forest school activities, including collecting flowers for pictures. There was a clear limitation: in May 2023, staff sometimes stopped at the activity rather than developing older children's questions and ideas. Extending their thinking more consistently was the improvement required.

In May 2023, staff emphasised emotional security, sharing and taking turns. Close relationships and clear routines helped children understand how to move safely and participate with others. Emotion puppets gave children a concrete way to talk about feelings.

Learning was broken into manageable steps, with small-group work and collaboration involving parents and other agencies. Babies shared books with adults; toddlers encountered new vocabulary, while older children practised letter sounds and recognising their names. Parents spoken to in May 2023 valued the communication about learning and progress.

Health routines also had tangible examples. In May 2023, Snappy, a puppet crocodile, helped introduce toothbrushing; children practised handwashing and received fruit snacks. Staff encouraged hats, sun cream and drinks in hot weather.

Managers supported staff through development opportunities, team meetings and individual supervision in May 2023. These provided occasions to discuss practice and seek help.

The address is Barrington Street, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6QR. In May 2023, Sandcastles operated within the grounds of Castle School; attendance at the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place.

Sessions and Attendance

In May 2023, the setting opened on weekdays, throughout the year, between 8am and 6pm, with pre-school opening hours of 9am to 3.30pm. Before-school care for Castle School children ran from 8am to 8.45am; after-school care ran from 3.30pm to 6pm. A holiday club opened from 8am to 6pm during school holidays.

Funding and Paid Extras

In May 2023, Sandcastles received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of a funded attendance arrangement today.

• Challenge for older children. In May 2023, learning opportunities did not consistently stretch existing knowledge. During a visit, ask how practitioners now develop children's questions beyond the initial activity.
• Choosing an attendance pattern. The May 2023 arrangements combined pre-school hours, school-day wraparound and a holiday club. Ask which current pattern fits your child's age and your working day, including its funding and charge terms.
• School-site expectations. Sandcastles was based at Castle School in May 2023. Keep childcare and Reception admissions decisions separate: attending the pre-school does not guarantee a school place.

Sandcastles suits families drawn to practical exploration and an emphasis on relationships. Its May 2023 arrangements served both pre-school attendance and before- or after-school care for Castle School children. The important balance is between the positive care findings and the need to extend older children's thinking more consistently.