Diamond Pre-school

Coat zips, garden plants and books that prompt questions about frogs give Diamond Pre-school a practical, recognisable character. Its January 2024 experience centred on helping children communicate, manage everyday tasks and become ready for school.

Ofsted rated the setting Good on 16 January 2024 and judged safeguarding effective. There are 24 places in total for children aged three to five, at Oakway Infant School in Wellingborough.

In January 2024, stories encouraged children to ask questions and investigate unfamiliar ideas. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: here, the activities observed included conversation, physical play and practising independence.

Outdoor learning had concrete tasks. In January 2024, children cared for garden plants, practised using a seesaw and rode bicycles and scooters. Building with large bricks also brought children together around a shared task. These experiences combined movement with opportunities to cooperate.

School preparation included everyday self-care in January 2024. Children practised fastening coats, putting on hats and recognising when to wipe their noses. The emphasis was on doing more for themselves, alongside developing the communication needed to explore unfamiliar surroundings.

At its January 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff knew their key children’s next learning steps and supported children with SEND through parental and professional liaison, referrals and smaller learning steps. Children sought comfort from their key workers, giving relationships a clear role in the care observed that month.

Communication support in January 2024 included picture timetables and images carried on staff lanyards. Clear speech and time to answer helped children understand instructions, including those learning English as an additional language. Staff also demonstrated sharing when disagreements arose over play dough.

Two weaknesses mattered. In January 2024, less confident children sometimes received too little adult help to join activities and begin friendships. Parents could borrow books through a library service, but staff gave them insufficient guidance about their child’s next steps or learning at home. Snacks that month included fruit and vegetables.

The address is Oakway Infant School, Oakway, Wellingborough, NN8 4SD. Opening hours are 8.45am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; the setting closes for school holidays.

In January 2024, the pre-school provided funded early education for three- and four-year-olds. Its school-site setting does not guarantee a Reception place: families still need to apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Support for quieter children. Adult deployment was an improvement priority in January 2024. Ask how staff now help hesitant children join play and develop friendships.
• Learning shared with home. January 2024 communication did not give parents enough guidance about next learning steps. Ask how those steps are now explained and followed up.
• Term-time routine. School-holiday closure makes this a term-time option. Families needing care across the year must account for those breaks.

Diamond Pre-school suits families seeking term-time preschool care, with a January 2024 picture of practical independence, language support and purposeful outdoor activity. The Good judgement sits alongside two concrete priorities: helping less confident children participate and making learning information more useful to parents. Those priorities deserve attention when choosing it.