St Nicholas Preschool

Blocks turned into telescopes and conversations about cuttlefish give St Nicholas Preschool its character: practical play with room for children's ideas. Those examples come from September 2021, rather than a description of today's activities.

Based at North End Bowling Club on Beresford Road in Portsmouth, the preschool has 24 places in total. At its 30 September 2021 inspection, Ofsted judged it Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good progress across the curriculum, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children attending then were aged 2 to 4.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: play supports communication, physical skills and growing independence.

In September 2021, learning drew on ordinary materials used imaginatively. Children built telescopes from small construction blocks and explored descriptive language by handling conkers outdoors. These were opportunities to turn an idea or a sensation into words.

Making play dough brought several skills together. Children stirred a thick mixture with a wooden spoon, passed the bowl between them and practised waiting. Painting offered another route into independence: children dispensed paint and added water themselves, while fruit printing supported early mark-making. Staff helped younger children cut fruit rather than doing the whole task for them.

In September 2021, children had close relationships with their key person, and staff used gentle encouragement when a task needed adult help. The emphasis was on supporting an attempt, giving children a part in their own learning.

Parent communication included guidance about toileting and nutritious lunches. Staff also sought advice from professionals on communication and behaviour, then put that advice into practice. For children approaching school, conversations with teachers helped prepare the move.

There was an important weakness in the starting process. In September 2021, information collected from parents about children's development and home life was inconsistent, delaying staff's ability to extend existing learning. Later assessments were detailed and used to plan activities, but the initial picture needed more work.

Safeguarding practice in September 2021 included staff supervision discussions about children's welfare, attention to changes in behaviour and updates shared by the designated safeguarding lead. Staff understood how to raise concerns with safeguarding professionals.

The address is North End Bowling Club, Beresford Road, Portsmouth, PO2 0NG.

In September 2021, opening hours were 8.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. These are dated operating arrangements, so they should be read alongside the inspection-era account above.

• Starting-point information. The September 2021 improvement priority concerned learning about children before planning their next steps. On a visit, ask how information about home life, interests and existing skills now shapes settling and initial activities.
• Term-time routine. The September 2021 opening pattern followed term time and finished at 3pm. How do today's attendance arrangements fit your working day and school-holiday needs?

The September 2021 picture suits families who value hands-on play, language woven into activities and encouragement towards independence. Play-dough making, construction and fruit printing give that picture substance. The main caution is equally specific: gathering a fuller understanding of each child at the start was the improvement priority. This is an inspection-era assessment, with a Good judgement dated 2021.