Golden Petals Pre-school

Messy play, neighbourhood outings and growing independence shaped life at Golden Petals Pre-school in September 2024. Children explored textures, visited a bakery and chose materials for their own artwork: practical experiences that gave learning something concrete to build on.

At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children made steady progress towards school readiness. Golden Petals has 62 places in total at 156-158 Ashton Road, Oldham OL8 1QT; children attending in September 2024 were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, its inspection-era examples included counting through songs and exploring weight with construction toys, bringing early number work into play.

In September 2024, children's interests helped shape activities. Staff placed cars in different play areas to draw in children who enjoyed them. Sensory activities introduced words for unfamiliar textures, giving children learning English opportunities to expand their vocabulary alongside their peers.

Physical activity had several forms: stretching and balancing together, plus outdoor play with balls and hoops. Trips to the bakery and post office connected learning with everyday neighbourhood life. Children also practised identifying safer crossing points.

Independence developed through choices. Younger children selected resources, while preschool children gathered their own art materials. These were manageable opportunities to take responsibility for an activity.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities through collaboration with physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and the area special educational needs coordinator.

In September 2024, staff built relationships with children and parents, and encouraged families to share photographs. These helped children explore family identity and differences. Parents discussed their children's development with staff and valued ideas for continuing learning at home.

Handwashing before food and after toileting was established practice, with conversations explaining germs. Staff also discussed healthy food during activities, linking routines with an understanding of wellbeing.

The address is 156-158 Ashton Road, Oldham OL8 1QT. In September 2024, opening hours were 8.45am to midday and midday to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. These are dated operating hours rather than a current booking commitment.

At that time, the setting provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Families considering that attendance arrangement should weigh its term-time rhythm alongside their childcare needs.

• Making praise meaningful. In September 2024, staff sometimes praised behaviour without explaining what a child had done well. The improvement priority was to help children understand which actions to repeat.
• Staff development. September 2024 feedback did not consistently give practitioners precise individual development targets. Sharper targets were needed to help staff extend their knowledge and skills.
• Planning attendance. In September 2024, opening hours were 8.45am to midday and midday to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. At a visit, ask how current booking arrangements fit the days and hours your family needs.

Golden Petals suits families drawn to practical preschool learning: sensory exploration, neighbourhood experiences and opportunities for children to do more for themselves. The Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, balanced by specific work needed on explaining praise and making staff development targets more precise.