Ford Pre-School

Apple trees, a woodland garden and potatoes grown for cooking give Ford Pre-School's November 2021 picture a practical, outdoor character. Children helped turn their harvest into food. Learning had a purpose they could see.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 11 November 2021. It has capacity for 16 children and is based at Hugh Joicey Church of England First School in Ford, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Children attending in November 2021 were aged two to four; that age range describes the setting at that time.

In November 2021, children planted and harvested potatoes, made apple crumble and pressed fruit juice. Shopping for ingredients connected growing and cooking with everyday errands. The enclosed garden gave these activities a physical setting, rather than leaving healthy eating as an abstract idea.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing together language, physical skills and other areas of learning. In November 2021, stories, songs and rhymes supported language, while sorting shells and bottle tops introduced counting. A woodland hunt for matching socks made the idea of pairs tangible.

Outdoor movement also featured in November 2021: monkey bars encouraged stretching and balancing, and a climbing wall offered another physical challenge. Chalk drawing linked movement with making marks. Children explored seasonal change through bluebells and growing sunflowers, while pretend telephone conversations and a doctor's surgery gave imaginative play a conversational element.

At the November 2021 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding and good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, alongside close relationships between children and staff. These findings matter for families weighing emotional security and individual support alongside activities.

In November 2021, staff knew children individually and encouraged small steps towards independence, including putting bags away and washing hands. Children could choose fruit at snack time and select their next toys. Those choices gave them some control over their day.

Partnership with parents and other professionals also featured in November 2021. Before moving on to school, children were invited to school lunches and walks around the grounds to help familiarise them with the next stage.

The address is Hugh Joicey Church of England First School, Ford, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland TD15 2QA. Being based at the school does not guarantee a Reception place.

In November 2021, opening hours were 8.45am to 3pm, Monday to Friday. The pre-school also provided out-of-school care and funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time. These are historical arrangements rather than a current attendance offer.

• Younger children's language. In November 2021, group activities needed better planning to support younger children's conversation and listening. How are these activities adapted for younger children now?
• School transition. Children were invited to school lunches and grounds walks as preparation in November 2021. Familiarity with school routines and entitlement to a Reception place are separate matters; attendance does not guarantee admission.

Ford Pre-School suits families drawn to outdoor exploration and practical learning. Its November 2021 account connects gardening, cooking, imaginative play and early mathematics through concrete experiences. The dated Good judgement provides a useful quality reference, balanced by the specific improvement needed in younger children's group-time language support.