Rauceby PreSchool

A village hall, a covered deck and activities that extend into the surrounding countryside give Rauceby PreSchool its character. This committee-run charity uses Rauceby Village Hall in South Rauceby, with a large indoor space and its own outdoor area. The physical arrangement gives children room to play inside and shelter for outdoor activity when the weather changes.

At its January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective. The practical examples behind that judgement matter: children collaborated on construction, joined in stories and tackled physical challenges outdoors. There were also clear improvements to make in revisiting learning and keeping children engaged during group activities.

Children can join from age two, and the preschool describes its provision as serving ages two to five; it has 20 places in total. Morning sessions run throughout the working week, with afternoons on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and additional early-drop and late-pick-up periods.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS provides the framework for learning, development and care: children build communication, physical and social skills through play, alongside early literacy, mathematics and understanding their surroundings. Rauceby's curriculum combines activities initiated by adults with those children choose themselves, indoors and outside. Independence is a concrete aim, expressed through putting on shoes and coats, managing handwashing and making simple choices.

Activities follow children's interests while introducing unfamiliar ideas. Staff observe play, plan what comes next and use specific praise to recognise problem-solving and cooperation. Children use mathematical ideas and vocabulary through play and everyday experiences. For parents, this describes an approach in which conversation, practical tasks and play carry the learning.

In January 2023, storytelling involved expressive reading and puppets, with children supplying familiar phrases and suggesting possible developments in the story. Construction provided another route into shared thinking: children built towers with large bricks and worked together to connect poles. These were tangible opportunities to experiment, talk and persist when a first attempt failed.

The improvement points deserve equal attention. In January 2023, children were not consistently helped to practise earlier learning again, and some lost concentration during circle time because adult expectations varied. Interesting activities alone were not enough: children also needed more consistent help to retain skills and participate in group learning.

Outdoor and Community Life

The covered decking area extends the preschool's own outdoor space into wet-weather use. Planting, baking, farm trips and neighbourhood walks add practical experiences to the curriculum, connecting play with food, growth and the surrounding area. Visiting companies include Bug lady, brought in to support children's development; no fixed frequency is attached to these visits.

In January 2023, outdoor equipment included a sand tray, bicycles, ride-on cars and a climbing frame. Children used tools in the sand and practised balance and coordination on the equipment. Community outings included countryside spaces and walks around a local country house. Children collected sticks for a pretend fire, then gathered for storytelling and songs.

Charity events include Children in need and Red nose day. Celebrations also involve food tasting, music, stories and dressing up, giving families a picture of shared occasions alongside everyday play.

Key-person roles and a SENCO are part of the staff structure. The curriculum places importance on relationships with children and their families, and includes flashcards to help children communicate basic English or express what they want. These are specific mechanisms for supporting participation, rather than a blanket promise that every need will be met in the same way.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children had secure relationships with their key person, that SEND support involved parental liaison, specialist referrals and targeted plans that supported progress, and that staff communicated effectively with families. The combination matters: individual support was linked to both home knowledge and help from outside agencies.

In January 2023, daily conversations covered children's care and learning, while a lending library let families borrow books and activities for home. That offered a practical continuation of learning beyond the preschool session. Dental nurses also visited to discuss looking after teeth, bringing a health topic into children's experience through a visiting professional.

The current staff arrangements include first-aid training renewed every three years. Snacks are included without an additional charge. Together with the emphasis on independent handwashing and self-care, these details make everyday wellbeing a practical part of the preschool's offer.

Sessions and Attendance

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon, Monday to Friday. Afternoon sessions operate from noon to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Early drop runs from 8.30am to 9am, while late pick up runs from 3pm to 3.45pm. The shorter periods extend the session timetable; they do not turn it into an evening childcare service.

Attendance is normally weekly. A different arrangement needs agreement from the manager and committee, and the admissions policy retains the weekly session charges for sessions missed under that arrangement. This is a consequential distinction for families whose childcare needs change from week to week.

In January 2023, the preschool operated during term time. Before a child starts, parents complete a registration form. Place allocation considers eligible funding age, time on the waiting list, siblings already attending and how near the family lives. Enquiries can be made by telephone or through the contact form.

Getting There

The address is Rauceby Village Hall, Main Street, South Rauceby, NG34 8QQ. Its rural village-hall setting is part of the preschool's character, rather than a separate nursery building.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funding options include 15 hours for two-year-olds whose parents meet the specified criteria, and 15 hours for all three- and four-year-olds from the term following their third birthday. The funding offer also includes 30 Hours Funded childcare for parents working more than 16 hours a week; eligibility conditions apply.

Private sessions are charged, and the early-drop and late-pick-up periods carry separate charges unless used within eligible children's free Early Years Entitlement. Snacks are included at no extra charge. Current prices come in the preschool's written quotation; the fees page explains the charge structure.

Invoices are issued monthly and payment is due within seven days. Families anticipating payment difficulties are expected to contact the preschool before the due date to arrange an extension, making early communication part of the payment arrangements.

• Group learning. January 2023 improvement points concerned practising earlier learning and maintaining attention during group activities. At a visit, ask how staff now organise circle time and return to skills children have already encountered.
• Weekly commitment. Attendance normally follows a weekly pattern, and alternative arrangements require agreement while retaining weekly session charges. Families needing occasional childcare should weigh that condition against their likely use.
• Settling into the village hall. Key-person relationships are central to the care arrangements. Ask how introductory visits and the first sessions would be organised for your child.
• Term-time planning. The January 2023 operating pattern was term-time only. Confirm the current annual calendar and how morning, afternoon and extension periods fit together for your intended attendance.

Rauceby suits families seeking morning preschool sessions or an afternoon pattern on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with short extensions around the core timetable. Its strongest practical attractions are the large village-hall space, covered outdoor decking and curriculum built around play, independence and community experiences.

The January 2023 Good judgement provides a positive assessment at that date, alongside specific teaching improvements to scrutinise. For parents comfortable with a weekly attendance commitment, this is a village preschool with concrete opportunities for children to explore, communicate and become more independent.