Paston Fundays Pre-School

Real vegetables, breakable teapots and books borrowed for home give Paston Fundays Pre-School a practical character. In January 2024, children practised everyday tasks alongside imaginative play, with early reading extending beyond the setting to their families.

At its January 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities helped them progress. The pre-school has 26 places in total; children attending at that inspection were aged two to four.

In January 2024, sensory play used familiar materials: dough scented with spices, tea bags and coffee mixed with water. Children prepared real produce and used kitchen utensils in pretend play. These activities gave small hands purposeful practice ahead of writing.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, care and development. Here, the January 2024 examples show learning through play and everyday tasks: children buttered toast, put away their dishes and practised dressing for outdoor activities.

Reading connected different parts of the day. In January 2024, stories prompted dough models of dinosaurs, while a lending library extended access to books to children, parents and siblings. Children heard stories individually and in groups. Indoor and outdoor play was supplemented by community outings, including a museum visit for activities centred on literacy.

A feelings board helped children recognise and communicate emotions in January 2024. Staff supported children who were unsettled and helped them practise sharing, taking turns and treating others kindly. Emotional language had a concrete place in the day.

Regular stay-and-play sessions brought parents into children's learning at that time. Leaders also helped families access community resources. For children needing additional support, staff worked with parents and other professionals to put agreed learning targets into practice.

The address is Honeyhill Children's Centre, 150 Chadburn, Paston, Peterborough, PE4 7DH.

In January 2024, the pre-school operated on weekdays during term time. Its session windows ran from 8.45am to 11.45am and from 12.15pm to 3.15pm, with a lunch club between 11.45am and 12.15pm each day.

Funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children was provided in January 2024.

• Language development. In January 2024, some staff missed opportunities to extend children's communication, and leaders were asked to strengthen staff-performance monitoring and teaching skills. Ask how staff now build conversation into practical play.
• Term-time routines. The January 2024 timetable combined separate session windows with a lunch club. For a visit, ask which current attendance pattern would fit your family's week.

Paston Fundays suits families who value practical independence, sensory exploration and reading shared with home. The January 2024 picture combines everyday learning with family involvement, while communication and language teaching remained the improvement priority. Its timetable then catered for morning and afternoon attendance during term time, making those routines an important part of the choice.