Brayton Headstart Preschool

Giant playing cards, regular yoga and a children's council shaped daily life at Brayton Headstart Preschool in September 2024. It has 30 places in total in the grounds of Brayton Academy in Selby. At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged it Outstanding and found safeguarding effective.

The children attending in September 2024 were aged two to four. This is a preschool account built around that age group: conversation, movement and children having a say in their surroundings.

In September 2024, learning followed children's interests while staff used assessments to decide what to introduce next. Water play involving sea creatures developed into learning about aquariums. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, its practical expression included play, conversation and physical activity.

Mathematics reached beyond counting. In September 2024, a game with giant cards encouraged children to compare numbers and predict the next card. Group discussions used questions to extend children's ideas, while Makaton, gestures and expressions helped staff understand children communicating their needs.

Regular yoga supported balance, coordination and core strength in September 2024. Outdoors, children could practise climbing, running and balancing. The children's council gave them a route to propose resources and changes to their surroundings. Their opinions had a practical purpose.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities made excellent progress, supported by early help, targeted strategies, work with other professionals and a recently created sensory area offering a quieter space.

Relationships mattered in daily life. In September 2024, children formed close bonds with staff and settled readily; adults modelled courteous conversation, and children practised sharing and taking turns. Autism training helped staff support children's participation.

Communication with families took several forms in September 2024: daily discussions, photographs online, termly assessment summaries and stay and play sessions. Parents also received ideas for continuing learning at home. Children brought packed lunches, with staff advising families on nutritious choices; oral-health information encouraged families to register children with a dentist.

The address is Grounds of Brayton Academy, Doncaster Road, Selby, YO8 9QS.

In September 2024, opening hours were 9am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday and 9am to 3pm on Friday, during term time. These were opening hours rather than named booking sessions. At that time, the preschool offered government-funded childcare and received additional funding for disadvantaged children.

• Term-time timetable. The September 2024 hours ended earlier on Fridays. At a visit, ask which current booking pattern and funded-hours arrangements would fit your week, including any charges or supplies families provide.
• Support in practice. The September 2024 provision included targeted support and a sensory area. Discuss how these arrangements would work for your child's particular communication or sensory needs.
• Children's influence. The children's council proposed resources and environmental changes in September 2024. Look for examples of how children's suggestions shape their play today.

Brayton Headstart Preschool suits families looking for preschool learning that gives children room to talk, move and contribute ideas. Its September 2024 account combines purposeful number games with physical play and individual support. For parents seeking a term-time routine, that dated timetable is a useful starting point; the strongest reason to consider it is the detail beneath its Outstanding judgement.