Two Bees Pre-School

Pony care and animated storytelling gave Two Bees Pre-School a recognisable character in April 2022. At its April 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, with strengths in responsive learning and two improvement priorities: younger children's independence and the organisation of group activities.

Based at Greenhill Community Church in Coalville, the pre-school has 38 places in total. Children attending in April 2022 were aged 2 to 4; that age range describes the children there at the time.

In April 2022, children's interests shaped practical learning. A care for a pony day involved feeding and brushing ponies, giving children a direct introduction to looking after animals. Outdoors, children shared the slide and took turns. Bubble play also created opportunities for staff to model correct language through conversation.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together. In April 2022, this included play, stories and opportunities to practise everyday skills. Enthusiastic storytelling encouraged children to remember familiar stories and describe what they recognised, although an extended activity lost some children's attention.

Group learning needed sharper organisation. In April 2022, younger and older children had separate registration groups, but competing noise distracted some children and reduced their opportunities to practise listening and language.

At the April 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified responsive assessment and collaboration with speech and language therapists and local authority specialists to support children's individual needs. This connected the help children received with their stage of development.

In April 2022, staff listened attentively to children's accounts of their experiences, helping relationships develop. Everyday independence was less consistent: children could serve themselves breakfast and pour drinks, and older children managed toileting and handwashing, but staff sometimes put younger children's coats on rather than letting them try.

Breakfast choices in April 2022 included fruit, milk and water. These routines combined eating with opportunities to practise self-care.

The address is Greenhill Community Church, Charnborough Road, Coalville, LE67 4SF.

In April 2022, opening hours were 9.15am to 2.30pm Tuesday to Thursday and 9.15am to 1pm on Friday, during term time. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Younger children's independence. In April 2022, help with coats sometimes replaced opportunities to practise. Look for how staff now give younger children time to attempt everyday tasks.
• Group activities. Competing noise and an overlong story activity affected attention in April 2022. The balance between shared activities and children's engagement deserves attention during a visit.
• Attendance and funding. The April 2022 offer operated during term time, with a shorter Friday. What are the current attendance arrangements and funded-hours terms, including meals and consumables?

The April 2022 findings give families drawn to practical animal-care experiences, conversational learning and support tailored to children's development reasons to consider Two Bees. Its April 2022 term-time timetable suited families seeking daytime preschool provision. The same dated assessment gives families two concrete priorities to explore: independence for younger children and calmer, better-paced group learning.