Worthington Pre-School

Shell hunts, homemade potions and rebuilding fallen brick towers give Worthington Pre-School a practical, playful character in its September 2024 account of daily life. The setting has 20 places in total and is based at Worthington Primary School in Worthington.

At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good and judged safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest practical thread was learning through familiar experiences: experimenting with sand, sharing construction play and managing small tasks independently.

In September 2024, activities followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care. Play brought those elements together: children added water to dry sand to make building possible, then persisted while searching for shells. These were opportunities to experiment and keep trying.

Books supported conversation, with animal facts linked to children's earlier experiences. Brick-building encouraged cooperation: children took turns and helped rebuild a tower after it collapsed. Predictable routines gave the day a recognisable structure.

The September 2024 improvement priorities concerned the depth of adult interaction. Staff sometimes supplied answers or took over tasks, including counting candles on pretend cakes. During potion-making, children needed more time to name ingredients and develop their own ideas. The important distinction for parents is between providing an engaging activity and helping a child take the thinking further.

In September 2024, settling sessions included parents and relatives, who could remain for as long as their child needed. Staff gathered information about home life to connect care between home and pre-school. Conversations about new siblings showed how that knowledge could shape individual attention.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those learning English as an additional language, made good progress with support involving parents, outside agencies, sensory activities and home-language words. Funding also supported resources matched to individual needs.

In September 2024, meals came from the school kitchen on site, alongside healthy snacks. Children practised handling cutlery, pouring drinks and washing their hands, making everyday care part of learning independence.

The address is Worthington Primary School, Main Street, Worthington, Ashby de la Zouch, LE65 1RQ.

In September 2024, opening hours were 8.30am to 3.20pm, Monday to Friday, in school term time. Funded early education was provided then for children aged two, three and four. This term-time timetable is an important consideration for families planning childcare around work.

The pre-school's school-site setting does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Conversation and challenge. September 2024 improvement priorities centred on extending learning and giving children time to speak. During a visit, ask how staff now help children develop their own answers.
• Term-time planning. The September 2024 timetable followed school terms and ended at 3.20pm. How would the current attendance arrangements fit your working week?

Worthington suits families seeking a school-site pre-school with play, everyday independence and parent involvement in settling. Its September 2024 assessment gives a positive foundation, with clear work to do on stretching children's thinking and leaving room for their voices. The term-time timetable described then is central to judging its practical fit.