Prebend Pre-school

Growing plants, balancing in yoga poses and cutting paper into shapes give Prebend Pre-school’s June 2025 picture a practical character. This Southwell setting has capacity for 25 children; those attending at that time were aged two to four.

At its 10 June 2025 inspection, Ofsted graded the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities received good support. The improvement priorities were specific: stronger conversations with children and more teaching about dental health.

In June 2025, children explored the early years foundation stage, the framework for their learning, development and care, through practical activities covering movement, language and understanding the world. Gardening brought these together: children learned what plants needed, measured their growth and compared their sizes. It gave early mathematics a concrete purpose.

Scissor activities helped develop the hand control needed for writing. Younger children received guidance on using scissors, while older children practised cutting shapes. Yoga added a different physical challenge, with balancing poses and discussion about how exercise changes the heartbeat.

Children could choose drawing materials themselves. Small-group book discussions encouraged them to talk about pictures, although conversations during crafts and meals did not consistently extend their speaking skills.

In June 2025, clear explanations helped children anticipate changes in routine. Staff reinforced indoor walking and children could explain the risk of tripping over toys. At lunch, children took responsibility for their own lunch boxes, giving them a practical task in looking after their belongings.

Individual plans addressed children’s particular needs, including participation in group activities and following lunchtime routines. Additional funding supported resources for role play, helping children practise playing alongside others. Meetings and photographs gave parents ways to discuss and follow their child’s development.

Handwashing routines covered eating and toilet use. Staff also explained sun protection and demonstrated safe knife use when children buttered crackers, but teaching about caring for teeth needed further development.

Prebend Pre-school’s address is New Methodist Church Hall, Prebend Passage, Southwell, NG25 0JH.

In June 2025, attendance ran during term time, Monday to Friday, with sessions from 8am to 4.30pm. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. These are dated attendance arrangements, useful for understanding the setting’s pattern at that time.

• Conversation during everyday activities. June 2025 practice was stronger in book discussions than during some crafts and meals. Ask how staff now use those everyday moments to extend children’s speech.
• Dental health. Teaching children why teeth need care was a June 2025 improvement priority. Ask what activities now address it.
• Term-time attendance. The June 2025 pattern followed term time. Before joining, ask which attendance arrangements and funded-hours charges would apply to your family.

Prebend’s June 2025 picture suits families who value practical preschool learning: gardening, drawing, cutting and movement gave children concrete ways to develop skills. Its term-time pattern would suit families organising care around that calendar. The Good judgement provides a clear inspection position, balanced by two useful questions about everyday language teaching and dental health.