Embsay with Eastby Preschool Playgroup

A parent-run playgroup in a village hall, with balance-bike sessions and a community library among its connections: Embsay with Eastby Preschool Playgroup has a clear local identity. It operates from The Village Hall in Embsay, near Skipton, and has capacity for 20 children aged two to five. Its charity structure gives parents a role beyond handing over their child each morning.

At its March 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Outstanding, finding exceptionally strong teaching and progress from children's starting points. That judgement belongs to the team and practice inspected then; joint managers took over in September 2024. The present offer combines individual learning programmes, a key-person approach and collaboration with families over additional needs.

Preschool opening hours run from 7.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays during term time, alongside some holiday provision. The distinction matters: this is a term-time preschool with additional holiday arrangements, rather than an uninterrupted year-round service.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: in everyday terms, children learn through play, conversation, physical activity and experiences that build independence. Here, each child's key person plans an individual education programme around existing knowledge and interests. Communication, emotional development and movement sit alongside early reading, mathematics, creative expression and understanding the world.

Letters and Sounds Programme adds a specific route into early language and literacy. Its Phase 1 activities help children recognise and remember sounds, enjoy rhyme and begin to separate and combine the sounds in words.

In March 2022, older children retold Owl Babies using owl props and tried out new vocabulary through movement. Younger children received more thinking time before answering questions. Those examples show storytelling and additional response time being used to support learning at different stages.

Mathematics was equally practical in March 2022. Staff introduced words about position while children explored dough, water and mud, and discussion of ingredients needed for pancakes encouraged children to listen to one another's ideas. These were ordinary experiences used deliberately: children could handle materials, make suggestions and connect words with actions.

Outdoor and Community Life

Ready, Steady, Pedal brings indoor balance-bike sessions for preschoolers. That gives physical learning a named activity alongside the playgroup's community visits. Embsay Community Library and Skipton Fire Station feature among places children have visited, taking books and local services beyond an explanation from an adult into a shared experience.

The community connections extend to Hesketh Farm Park, Bolton Abbey, and Studfold Adventure Park. These are examples of visits the playgroup has enjoyed, rather than a weekly trip schedule. They give families a useful picture of the preschool's interests: learning reaches beyond the hall into local places and experiences.

In March 2022, children chose between indoor and outdoor play and grew vegetables which they harvested, washed and ate at snack time. Climbing, jumping and ball play supported larger movements, while activities for the hands prepared children for writing.

Relationships and Communication

A key person provides a consistent point of contact for each child's learning. Individual planning gives that role an educational purpose as well as a relationship: someone follows the child's interests and decides what to build on next. For parents, it creates a clear starting point for conversations about development.

In March 2022, children had close relationships with their key person and other staff, and played considerately with one another. Families received calls and emails, understood what their child was working towards and knew how to support learning at home.

Parents also influence how the organisation runs. The management committee brings parents and carers together with preschool leaders to make major decisions, organise social events and help raise funds. An annual parent survey adds another route for feedback. Committee involvement will appeal to families who want to contribute to a community organisation as well as use its childcare.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The SENCo and the child's key person work with families, carers and relevant professionals over additional needs. Support links include the Speech and Language Therapy Team. Other partners are Airedale Child Development Centre and Craven Early Help Team; North Yorkshire SEN Hub is also involved. These are mechanisms for coordinating support around a child, rather than a blanket promise that every need can be met in the same way.

At its March 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with special educational needs and disabilities exceptionally strong, including the use of speech-and-language training to help children with language needs. Current arrangements include designated safeguarding lead roles and paediatric first-aid training for all staff.

School transition has a practical place in the community programme. Reception teachers visit, and children visit their new schools or settings. The playgroup also works with local schools and nurseries during transition, helping the move become a shared process between settings rather than an isolated change for the child.

Sessions and Attendance

The preschool opens Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 5.30pm, during term time, with some holiday provision. Funded hours can be used across that opening window on any weekday during term time. The preschool is also willing to share funding with another setting, giving families a specific way to combine provision where that suits their circumstances.

For older siblings attending Embsay Primary School, Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 9am; after-school bookings run from 3.30pm until either 4.30pm or 5.30pm. Breakfast and a light tea are included in those club fees. These school-age arrangements are separate from the preschool offer.

The 2025-26 Holiday Club programme offered a full day from 8.30am to 5pm or a part day ending at 3pm, for children aged two to eleven. Its booking terms required payment when booking, with refunds within the final two weeks dependent on the place being resold. Those terms matter when weighing holiday care against plans that may change.

Getting There

The address is The Village Hall, Main Street, Embsay, Skipton, BD23 6RE. Enquiries can be made by email or through the contact form, and visit requests are welcomed through the preschool's contact route.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare and privately paid hours are both offered. Universal funding covers 15 hours for three- and four-year-olds from the term after their third birthday; some also qualify for an additional working-parent entitlement of up to 15 hours. For eligible two-year-olds, working-parent funding of up to 30 hours is offered, alongside funding for families receiving extra support. Delivery is term-time only, and eligibility conditions apply.

Breakfast, morning snack and light afternoon tea carry separate charges; for children using government funding, these charges are optional, with alternative arrangements agreed with the manager. Holiday Club requires a healthy packed lunch from home, while snacks and drinks are provided; families also supply weather-appropriate sun cream and waterproofs.

Current prices come in the preschool's written quotation. The sessions and fees page sets out the distinction between preschool funding, school-age club fees and holiday bookings, which helps families assess the arrangement relevant to their child.

• Term-time routine. Preschool attendance follows a term-time calendar, with some holiday provision alongside it. Families needing continuous care should discuss how the holiday arrangements would fit their working year.
• The youngest children. The preschool accepts children from two, and individual learning is organised through a key person. At a visit, ask how settling and daily communication would work for your child's stage of development.
• Funding and food. Funded hours can be used throughout the term-time opening window, but food charges are separate and optional for funded children. Ask how alternative food arrangements and any allergy needs would work together.
• Parent participation. A parent-and-carer committee helps make major decisions and organise fundraising. Consider whether that opportunity for involvement suits the relationship you want with your child's preschool.

Embsay with Eastby Preschool Playgroup suits families seeking term-time preschool attendance with individually planned learning, as well as households using Breakfast Club or After School Club for an older child at Embsay Primary School. Its strongest current character comes from parent participation and named community connections, including Ready, Steady, Pedal's balance-bike sessions and visits to Embsay Community Library.

The March 2022 Outstanding judgement gives it a strong dated inspection position. The decision now is whether its term-time rhythm, key-person arrangements and community model fit the child and family choosing it.