Little Acorns Pre School

Stories became building projects at Little Acorns Pre School: in October 2022, children recreated Humpty Dumpty with bricks and retold it using props. That combination of language and practical play gives this Broughton setting its character.

Ofsted judged the provision Outstanding on 17 October 2022 and found safeguarding effective. Little Acorns has capacity for 80 children at Brigg Road, Broughton, DN20 0JW; children attending in October 2022 were aged two to four.

In October 2022, singing and storytelling gave children opportunities to practise communication. The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for learning, development and care; here, the inspection-time examples included stories, construction, counting and practical exploration.

The home corner brought numbers into baking through numbered instructions. A space for discussion contained tablets and factual books, giving staff resources to explore children's questions rather than simply supply an answer.

Outside, the vegetable patch connected growing with preparing food: children watered plants, gathered produce and washed and peeled it. They also helped assemble an obstacle course, moving equipment and practising jumping and balancing with adult support. These were practical opportunities to make decisions and use physical skills.

Autumn walks supplied leaves and conkers for exploring texture, colour, size and seasonal change. Spy kids involved children using magnifying glasses to spot possible hazards, making safety something they could think about themselves. Parents contributed to cultural celebrations by explaining traditional clothing. Community links included the local library.

At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that the key-person arrangements helped children feel secure, children made excellent progress, and support for special educational needs and/or disabilities included speech and language therapists demonstrating strategies to staff and parents.

In October 2022, staff helped children manage difficult feelings and encouraged independence through pouring drinks and handwashing songs. Parents had twice-yearly discussions with key persons, alongside advice about oral health, internet safety and healthy lunches. This connected everyday care with conversations families could continue at home.

Information-sharing with the local primary school supported continuity when children moved on. It was transition work, rather than an admissions advantage.

Brigg Road, Broughton, DN20 0JW is the setting's address. In October 2022, it operated on weekdays during term time, with sessions running from 9am to 3pm. Those times describe the arrangements at that visit.

At the same date, Little Acorns provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. The attendance pattern therefore matters when weighing how preschool fits around family commitments.

• Term-time planning. The October 2022 arrangements covered weekday sessions from 9am to 3pm: what are the current session and funded-attendance arrangements for your child?
• Practical learning. October 2022 activities included growing vegetables, building obstacle courses and investigating autumn finds. This is a useful match for families who value learning through handling materials and trying things out.

The October 2022 learning examples suit families who value preschool experiences built around stories, conversation and practical activity. Its October 2022 examples connect language, independence and outdoor exploration in concrete ways. The Outstanding judgement is dated, and the term-time session pattern described here belongs to that same period.