St. Charles' Catholic Pre-School

A mobile classroom and free movement between indoor and outdoor play give St. Charles' Catholic Pre-School its character. The setting occupies the grounds of St. Charles’ Catholic Primary School in Measham, with capacity for 21 children. Its appeal rests on play, exploration and the freedom to follow an idea beyond the classroom.

At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Children aged 2 to 5 attended at that time. The practical model was term-time opening, rather than year-round childcare, an important distinction for families arranging care around work.

Children choose whether to play indoors or outside and can move between the two throughout the day. Outdoor play continues through the seasons, with clothing chosen for the weather and activities that can leave children dirty. This gives outdoor exploration a place in the ordinary day, rather than making it an occasional addition.

The EYFS, or Early Years Foundation Stage, provides the framework: children learn through play, with experiences responding to their interests and development. Staff use what children are investigating to shape the environment. That makes their choices part of the planning, rather than simply offering a fixed sequence of adult-led activities.

In September 2025, physical play included substantial climbing equipment and imaginary vehicles assembled from crates and tyres. Painting involved hands as well as brushes. These were different ways to explore movement, materials and ideas, with space for both energetic play and experimentation.

The outdoor reading shed provided a quieter counterpoint that September. Adults shared stories chosen by children, and books went home for families to read together. Elsewhere, children used construction materials to make houses for small-world characters. Resources could support a developing idea, rather than confining play to its starting point.

Relationships had a practical role in the September 2025 nursery day: children approached adults when they needed comfort, while lunchtime conversations gave them opportunities to talk about life at home. Staff also encouraged independence through pouring drinks and attempting to open lunch packaging, adjusting their help to the child.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children progressed well, with staff recognising additional support needs and introducing strategies such as visual timetables. Those timetables made the sequence of the day easier to understand. The mechanism matters for families whose children benefit from knowing what happens next.

Communication extended beyond collection time in September 2025. An online app carried photographs and activity updates, giving parents a view of what their children had been doing. Shared books offered another connection between home and pre-school: something families could enjoy together, rather than only an account of the day.

Behaviour guidance was practical too. In September 2025, staff responded to toy throwing outdoors by introducing a beanbag game, directing the children's urge to throw towards a suitable activity. Fruit snacks and outdoor dancing also featured that month; the drinks children brought from home were an area requiring attention.

The address is Bosworth Road, Measham, Swadlincote, DE12 7LQ. Enquiries can be made through the contact form or by telephone on 01530 515284, and an application form provides a joining route.

In September 2025, opening hours were 8.50am to 3.20pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. These are dated opening hours, rather than a description of individual bookable sessions. Families choosing term-time care need to consider how that calendar fits their wider childcare arrangements.

Government-funded places are offered. In September 2025, funded early education covered two-, three- and four-year-olds. Funding is therefore part of the setting's childcare model, alongside its play-based educational offer.

The pre-school shares the primary school's grounds. Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place, so families should treat choosing pre-school and securing a school place as separate decisions.

• Home languages. In September 2025, opportunities to hear and practise children's home languages were inconsistent. Families using another language at home may want to discuss how it will feature in their child's play and learning.
• Drinks and oral health. In September 2025, children were encouraged to bring juice from home, and healthier drink arrangements were an improvement priority. Ask what drinks children now have during the day.
• Outdoor clothing. Children move freely between inside and outside, with outdoor play continuing throughout the year. Weather-appropriate clothes that can get messy are a practical part of attending here.

St. Charles' Catholic Pre-School suits families drawn to play-based learning and children having a real choice between indoor and outdoor activity. The mobile classroom and shared school grounds give it a clear identity; the September 2025 picture adds imaginative construction, outdoor stories and everyday independence. For families considering term-time care, it merits attention, with home-language opportunities and drink arrangements the clearest points to explore.