Church Lane Preschool

Tree climbing and experiments with ice give Church Lane Preschool's inspection-era picture a practical, exploratory character. Based at Holy Trinity Church Hall in Nailsea, it has 24 places in total. At its June 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, finding that learning was shaped around children's interests and developmental needs.

The children attending that June were aged two to four. The June 2025 observations centre on preschool play, growing independence and preparation for the next stage.

In June 2025, construction play became an opportunity to practise movement and mathematical vocabulary. Another activity involved releasing toy minibeasts from ice: children experimented with water temperature and explored how their actions changed the frozen material. These examples gave children something concrete to investigate and discuss.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the June 2025 examples show learning through practical play. Stories and songs introduced vocabulary, while signing during group activities helped children understand and communicate.

Outside, children climbed low tree branches with staff supervising and teaching safe climbing. Water play also involved cooperation: children negotiated turns as they filled pots. Both activities combined physical exploration with decisions made alongside other children.

At the June 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described staff who understood children's emotional needs, helping them settle into play and manage their feelings. Deep breathing and conversations about emotions gave children practical ways to regain calm.

In June 2025, independence extended to handwashing and toileting when children were ready. Helping clean tables and prepare for lunch gave them a part in everyday routines. Parents valued updates about their child's day and development, making communication part of the relationship rather than simply an exchange of logistics.

Links with other childcare settings, local schools and professionals supported preparation for children's next stage in June 2025. These were transition links, with no named school attached to them.

The address is Holy Trinity Church Hall, Church Lane, Nailsea, BS48 4NG.

In June 2025, attendance operated during school terms, Monday to Friday. Sessions ran from 9am to 3.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and from 9am to 3pm on Wednesday. Thursday's pre-school plus session ran from 9am to midday. The shorter Thursday pattern differed substantially from the other days, so families needed to match the weekly timetable to their care requirements.

Funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds was offered in June 2025.

• Conversation during play. In June 2025, staff sometimes relied on questions with a fixed answer, restricting opportunities to practise vocabulary and develop ideas. Ask how adults now encourage longer answers during activities such as construction and ice experiments.
• A varied weekly timetable. The June 2025 pattern combined longer sessions with Thursday's morning pre-school plus session. At a visit, discuss the current attendance pattern and a written quotation covering funded hours, meals and consumables.

Church Lane Preschool suits families drawn to hands-on preschool learning and opportunities for children to become more independent. Its June 2025 attendance pattern served both longer term-time sessions and a shorter Thursday morning session. The inspection picture combines purposeful practical play with caring relationships; extending children's conversations is the clear improvement priority.