Moira Pre-School

A village-hall setting with compost play, story sacks and an emphasis on conversation: Moira Pre-School's November 2022 picture centres on children learning through everyday exploration. At its 15 November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good overall and found safeguarding effective.

The pre-school has 26 places in total at Village Hall in Moira. Children attending in November 2022 were aged two to four; that age range describes the inspection-time group.

In November 2022, play could change direction as children joined one another. A miniature farm prompted animal sounds, while flowerpots became tools for transferring compost between containers. These were opportunities to experiment, talk and develop shared ideas rather than follow a single fixed task.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the November 2022 curriculum included activities across seven areas of learning, shaped around children's interests and developmental needs.

Language work was concrete. In November 2022, staff helped children distinguish cooking, making and baking, introducing vocabulary through play. Story sacks added interest to books, and older children discussed pictures together in the reading corner. Younger children, however, sometimes struggled to participate in group stories. Broader experiences of cultures and traditions also needed attention.

In November 2022, each child's key person provided a familiar relationship, and children sought staff out to share ideas and feelings. Staff had undertaken emotional-wellbeing training and introduced resources to help children recognise and manage feelings. This gave emotional learning a practical place in the day.

Communication with families in November 2022 included conversations, written updates, newsletters and activities to try at home. Staff also worked with families whose children spoke English as an additional language, although celebrating individual cultural backgrounds needed more attention.

Healthy snacks offered children choices in November 2022, while parents supplied packed lunches and were encouraged to choose nutritious food. Handwashing before food and after toileting formed part of learning about health.

The address is Village Hall, Ashby Road, Moira, Swadlincote, DE12 6DP.

In November 2022, sessions ran from 9.15am to 1pm, Monday to Thursday, during term time. That pattern combined a morning's activities with lunch before an early-afternoon finish. At that time, funded early education was offered for children aged two, three and four.

• Younger children's stories. In November 2022, group storytelling did not consistently engage younger children. During a visit, ask how stories are now adapted so they can participate.
• Cultures and family backgrounds. The November 2022 improvement priorities included broader learning about traditions and different ways of life. Ask how children's own backgrounds now shape activities.
• Attendance planning. The November 2022 pattern was term-time sessions ending at 1pm. What attendance options and funded arrangements can the pre-school offer your family now?

Moira Pre-School suits families drawn to a village-hall setting and play built around conversation, books and practical exploration. Its Good November 2022 judgement provides a positive dated assessment, with clear improvement priorities around inclusive storytelling and cultural learning. The attendance pattern assessed then would suit families seeking term-time mornings extending through lunch.