Snakes and Ladders Pre-School

In April 2025, colour mixing, mud play and number hunting in the garden gave Snakes and Ladders Pre-School a recognisable character. Based at St Aidan's Community Centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne, it has capacity for 34 children. Outdoor activity and children's own ideas shaped the day in April 2025.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good at its 9 April 2025 inspection. Children attending then were aged two to four, and the strongest examples involved children carrying learning from an organised activity into play they chose themselves.

In April 2025, children helped shape their surroundings: they rearranged furniture for pretend postal and library play, with staff adding envelopes to develop their ideas. This gave children scope to make decisions rather than simply follow an adult's plan.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2025 curriculum covered its learning areas through play: mixing paint led to further experiments with coloured water outdoors, while a number activity prompted children to search the garden and attempt to write numerals.

Mud, seeds and coloured water also became materials for imaginative play involving counting and comparing amounts and sizes. Adults introduced learning intentions while leaving room for children's creativity. Outdoor learning received substantial attention, providing opportunities to move and play actively.

Whole-group activities were less successful for some younger children. In April 2025, sessions sometimes lasted beyond their attention span, leaving them restless and interrupting older children's concentration. The issue was the fit between the activity and the children taking part.

At the April 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described trusting relationships between children and familiar staff. Newer children were becoming more confident, while encouragement helped children keep trying and recognise their achievements.

In April 2025, adults stepped in when children hesitated during painting, helping them continue taking part. Shared sand-castle building gave children practice in taking turns, helping one another and working towards a common result.

Handwashing, conversations about toothbrushing and music with movement supported everyday health education. Staff also discussed teaching frequently and reflected on ways to develop their practice. However, expectations during changes of activity were sometimes inconsistent, leaving some children unsure what to do next.

The address is St Aidan's Community Centre, Princes Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE3 5NF.

In April 2025, the pre-school ran during school terms on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with sessions from 9am to 2pm. That timetable concentrated attendance into selected weekdays rather than covering the working week. At that time, it provided government-funded childcare and received extra funding to support disadvantaged children.

• Younger children's group activities. Planning needed closer adjustment to younger children's attention spans in April 2025. At a visit, how are activities now adapted for them?
• Changes between activities. In April 2025, staff did not consistently make expectations clear during routines. Predictable instructions matter for children who find changes difficult.
• Attendance pattern. The April 2025 timetable combined term-time attendance with sessions on three specified weekdays. That pattern matters when matching childcare to work commitments.

Snakes and Ladders merits consideration for families drawn to outdoor play and learning that develops from children's ideas. Its April 2025 provision suited preschool children who enjoyed choosing, experimenting and cooperating. Families weighing that term-time session pattern should also give attention to the two practical weaknesses: activities tailored to younger children and clearer routines.