The Avenue Pre-School

Books, play-dough hedgehogs and outings to the beach give The Avenue Pre-School's October 2022 account its character: learning through conversation, making and exploring Cleethorpes. Ofsted rated the setting Good on 18 October 2022. The strongest practical examples connect early learning with everyday independence, from choosing stories to putting on coats.

Based at St Andrews Youth Hall, Charles Street, Cleethorpes, DN35 8QB, the pre-school accepts children aged two to five. It operates during term time, with school-holiday closures.

In October 2022, physical activity included balancing, running, climbing and dancing, while an easel gave children opportunities to practise using paint brushes. These experiences exercised both whole-body movement and the hand control needed for later learning.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the October 2022 examples included counting during play, discussing shapes and sizes, and joining in number rhymes. Stories also invited participation: children selected books and contributed ideas about what might happen next.

Play dough offered another route into language. In October 2022, children shaped hedgehogs with lollipop sticks and learnt descriptive vocabulary alongside making their models. Walks took them to playgrounds, the beach and the local library, extending their experiences beyond the setting. These were outings into the surrounding community, rather than learning confined to the hall.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and SEND support positive, with parents and external agencies involved in prompt referrals. This is a dated assessment of practice.

In October 2022, familiar adults helped new children settle into routines and explore the play spaces. Staff used calm explanations when children wanted the same toy, helping them practise waiting and sharing. Coats and handwashing became opportunities to develop independence rather than tasks adults simply completed for them.

Planning drew on staff observations and assessments to identify children's next learning steps, including communication skills for school. In October 2022, parents received information about children's learning, and changes to working arrangements reduced paperwork so staff could spend more time with children.

Current opening hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. School holidays are closure periods, which matters for families organising care across the year.

In October 2022, sessions ran from 9am to 3pm, and funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. Those session times and funding arrangements describe that period; they are separate from the current opening hours.

• Purpose behind activities. In October 2022, some staff were uncertain about the intended learning and how to extend it. Ask how practitioners now explain and develop the learning within an activity.
• Staff development. October 2022 supervision did not consistently give staff clear improvement goals or identify training needs. Ask how supervision now translates into specific changes in practice.
• Term-time planning. The pre-school closes during school holidays. Families needing care throughout the year will need to account for those breaks.

The Avenue Pre-School suits families seeking term-time care for children aged two to five. Its October 2022 account gives concrete reasons to value the experience: participatory stories, practical independence and community outings. The balance is equally clear: understanding the purpose of activities and setting sharper staff-development goals were the areas needing attention.