Churchill Pre-school

An orchard session and a bike obstacle course give Churchill Pre-school's February 2023 picture its character: practical learning, outdoor exploration and time to pursue play. Based at Memorial Hall in Churchill, it has capacity for 30 children aged two to five. Ofsted rated it Good at its February 2023 inspection.

The current opening pattern is term time, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm, with school holidays closed. That makes the calendar an important part of the family decision.

In February 2023, the hall was arranged with activities that encouraged children to experiment. Handling utensils with play dough and cutting fruit brought physical coordination into ordinary play; conversations about pancakes gave younger children new vocabulary and older children opportunities to explain their preferences. Flexible snack breaks allowed play to continue rather than stopping everyone together.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the February 2023 examples show how that translated into play, conversation and practical tasks.

Outside, in February 2023, children tackled a bike obstacle course on the patio, mixed water into an extended sandpit and used a doll's house beneath cover. Regular outings reached the neighbouring fields and play park. These spaces gave children different ways to move, investigate and invent games.

Older children also had school prep Mondays, with more demanding activities, and Outdoor Fridays, which included learning about nature and an orchard session at a nearby farm. Both were part of the February 2023 offer, giving school preparation a practical as well as conversational dimension.

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding, good progress and close support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including collaboration with other professionals through the manager, key staff and special educational needs coordinator.

In February 2023, staff helped children handle strong feelings through conversation, negotiation and redirection. Children needing extra assistance received support with boundaries and respecting other children's space. This gives parents a concrete picture of how emotional support worked during play.

Safety practice at that date included assessments for the park and orchard outings, alongside helping children recognise risks themselves. Preparation for school included targeted support and more challenging activities for older children.

Memorial Hall, Ladymead Lane, Churchill, Winscombe, BS25 5NH is the setting's address. Term-time opening runs from 9am to 3pm on weekdays.

In February 2023, an additional breakfast club began at 8am each day. At that date, funded places were offered for children aged two, three and four. These are dated arrangements, separate from the current term-time opening window.

• Group attention. In February 2023, some adult-led activities lost children's attention, and neighbouring groups created distracting noise. Look at how group activities are organised during a visit.
• Everyday independence. In February 2023, encouragement to wash up and tidy varied. Consistent opportunities to take responsibility were an improvement priority, relevant to families preparing children for school.
• Breakfast care. The February 2023 offer included an 8am breakfast club. Is that arrangement part of the attendance pattern you could book now?

Churchill's February 2023 inspection picture suits families who value practical play, outdoor exploration and preparation for school through everyday experiences. Its current term-time calendar fits families seeking weekday care within school hours. The dated breakfast offer adds another attendance consideration, while group attention and independence deserve scrutiny alongside the positive findings.