Thorpe Willoughby Childcare Centre

In July 2025, lavender, bees and conversations about feelings helped shape children's learning at Thorpe Willoughby Childcare Centre. At its July 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the centre Good, found safeguarding effective and highlighted staff's skill in developing children's language.

The centre has 42 places in total and is based on Londesborough Grove in Thorpe Willoughby, Selby. In July 2025, children attending were aged 2 to 11; that inspection-time age range includes children beyond the preschool years.

In July 2025, the early years foundation stage provided the framework for learning, development and care: play supported language, early literacy, social skills and mathematical understanding. Children helped shape small-group activities by sharing ideas and choosing resources. Their conversations about bees visiting the garden's lavender connected observation with vocabulary.

Colour Monster gave children a starting point for discussing emotions and the physical sensations associated with them. Elsewhere, a pretend café encouraged conversation about food and menus, while building a railway introduced words for different track shapes. These were concrete opportunities to talk and think through play.

Books also travelled home for shared reading. Children explored mark-making through dots, circles and lines, and built stories around familiar experiences such as refuelling a toy vehicle. Participation in the scarecrow festival connected the centre with community life; parents and grandparents also joined fundraising activities.

At the July 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that collaboration with parents and other professionals helped children with special educational needs and/or disabilities access support, reduce developmental gaps and prepare for school.

In July 2025, everyday care included help with toilet training and encouragement to manage disagreements, persevere with difficult tasks and take responsibility for tidying. Threading shapes to make necklaces gave children a practical reason to keep trying. Staff allowed thinking time during conversations rather than rushing children towards an answer.

Parents could spend time at the centre talking with staff and playing alongside their children. However, communication between home and the centre was uneven: some parents needed more support to exchange information consistently. That mattered because staff could miss experiences from home that would help connect children's learning.

The address is Childcare Centre, Londesborough Grove, Thorpe Willoughby, Selby, YO8 9NX.

In July 2025, the centre operated in two buildings within the grounds of Thorpe Willoughby School. Attendance at the childcare centre does not guarantee a Reception place.

At that time, opening hours ran from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year, with closures for bank holidays and a week at Christmas. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four.

• Group activities. In July 2025, larger-group activities sometimes involved lengthy waits and did not sufficiently reflect children's different developmental stages. Ask how activities now keep each child involved.
• Communication with home. Consistent information exchange was an improvement priority in July 2025. A visit is a useful opportunity to discuss how staff include every family in that conversation.
• Attendance arrangements. The July 2025 opening window extended from early morning into the evening. What booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would apply to your child now?

This centre suits families who value conversation, imaginative play and community participation. Its July 2025 picture combined practical independence, shared reading and support for emotional development. The decision also needs to account for the two improvement priorities: keeping larger groups engaged and making communication with every family consistent.