Freeston Tots

Scooters, story props and small pouring jugs gave Freeston Tots a practical preschool character in October 2024: children had opportunities to move, imagine and do things for themselves. This small Cleethorpes setting has capacity for 16 children and serves children aged two to five. Its appeal is the scale and the emphasis on everyday independence, rather than an elaborate list of branded activities.

At its October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. The improvement priorities concerned speech: reducing dummy use during conversation and helping staff model complete, correct words. Those are specific points for families to weigh alongside the positive judgement.

Attendance is term time only, with weekday morning and afternoon sessions. That makes the preschool relevant to families seeking a regular part-day pattern.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In everyday terms, that brings together language, physical development, relationships and learning through play; the activities here offer concrete examples of those strands.

In October 2024, movement included action songs with stamping and turning, alongside scooter play outdoors. These gave children different ways to practise controlling their bodies, from joining a group activity to steering independently. The outdoor area also supported exploration with mud, with adults introducing words connected to what children were doing. Physical activity and conversation could therefore happen together.

Books had an active role in the day. In October 2024, children helped with page turning, predicted the next part of a story and used props during shared reading. Activities also developed the muscle control needed for making marks and, later, writing. This was preparation through participation, rather than simply listening to an adult read.

The routine offered opportunities to practise ordinary tasks. In October 2024, children washed before snacks, worked on putting on outdoor clothing and poured drinks from small jugs. These are modest details with real value: they give preschool children manageable responsibilities and repeated opportunities to become more independent.

At the October 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff responded calmly to children's needs, supported emotional development and used targeted language strategies while children awaited professional intervention, helping them make progress. For families whose child needs additional help, the important detail is that support was being used during the waiting period, rather than postponed until outside intervention began.

In October 2024, adults offered physical reassurance when children needed it and helped them deal with disagreements. A song about gentle hands formed part of the session greeting. That linked expectations about behaviour to a shared activity, giving children a practical reminder of how to treat one another.

Communication about learning also had a clear structure in October 2024. Key workers followed children's development from their starting points, while assessments informed the next steps shared with parents. Families received ideas for continuing learning at home. This connected what happened in the preschool with what parents could do themselves, rather than leaving progress as a conversation only between staff.

The current approach includes working with families and external agencies to address children's needs. That is a useful mechanism to understand alongside the dated findings, especially where a child already has professional support or a family wants continuity between home and preschool.

Sessions and Attendance

Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am, while afternoon sessions run from noon to 3pm, Monday to Friday. Attendance follows a term-time pattern. The two sessions offer different ways to fit preschool around a family's day, but holiday care needs separate planning.

Getting There

The address is 1 Freeston Street, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LY, with the preschool situated at the rear of the property. Telephone enquiries can be made on 07855072659.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered. For a family considering a funded session, the useful financial starting point is a written quotation for its intended attendance pattern, with childcare and any additional items clearly separated.

• Speech and dummy use. The October 2024 priorities concerned dummies during talking and adults modelling correct words. On a visit, ask how these points now shape conversations and the approach to dummy use.
• Term-time attendance. Both morning and afternoon sessions follow the term-time pattern. Families needing care during holidays will need to plan around that calendar.
• The full cost of your pattern. Funded childcare is offered. What would a written quotation for your chosen sessions include for childcare, food and non-food consumables?

Freeston Tots suits families looking for morning or afternoon preschool attendance during term time, with a small overall capacity. The October 2024 picture includes scooters outdoors, participatory storytelling and children practising self-care, alongside communication with parents about children's next steps in learning. These details give the Good judgement useful substance. Speech support is the clear point to discuss before choosing it. The strongest fit is a family that values regular part-day attendance.