Holme from Home Pre-school

Finger puppets, bird drawings and searches for minibeasts give Holme from Home Pre-school’s inspection-era account its character. This Preston setting has capacity for 20 children and is based on Manor House Lane at Holme Slack C P School (PR1 6HP).

At its March 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, finding that its carefully planned curriculum engaged children and that they progressed well towards starting school. Children attending then were aged three to four. The detail matters more than the grade: play connected conversation, movement and exploration.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children’s learning, development and care, bringing learning through play together with everyday personal skills. In March 2023, an interest in flying animals led from discussing birds to moving like them, using binoculars and drawing. One interest opened several routes into learning.

Words of the week linked new vocabulary to activities: a space theme introduced astronaut, alien and planet, which children then used in conversation. During March 2023, familiar stories also became finger-puppet retellings, while outdoor exploration included looking for worms with magnifying glasses. These were concrete opportunities to talk, investigate and imagine.

There was a limitation. In March 2023, adults sometimes redirected children before their play had run its course, breaking their concentration. Allowing activities to reach a natural conclusion was the improvement required.

At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective and found that children learning English as an additional language received good support. Staff learned familiar words from home and introduced different writing systems, including Arabic script, giving children something recognisable as they settled.

In March 2023, everyday routines included recognising and attempting to write their names, washing hands before food and discussing foods that support healthy teeth. Children also spent time playing outdoors throughout the day.

Communication extended beyond daily care. During March 2023, parents contributed to assessment and received ideas for learning at home; staff also accompanied children on school transition visits. Familiar adults could therefore support children during that change. New staff received mentoring and support from the manager at that time.

The pre-school is based on Manor House Lane in Preston, at Holme Slack C P School (PR1 6HP).

In March 2023, the pre-school operated on weekdays during term time, with sessions from 8.30am to 11.30am and 12.30pm to 3.30pm; lunch ran between 11.30am and 12.30pm. Funded early education for three- and four-year-olds formed part of that inspection-time offer. These arrangements describe that period.

• Time to finish play. The March 2023 improvement concerned interruptions to activities. For children who become absorbed in an investigation or story, the pace of transitions matters.
• Term-time planning. The March 2023 timetable separated two sessions with a lunch period. At a visit, what attendance and funded-hours arrangements would apply to your child now?

Holme from Home Pre-school suits families interested in language-rich play and supported preparation for school. The March 2023 account contains useful substance: vocabulary linked to activities, outdoor investigation and transition visits with familiar staff. Its counterweight is equally specific: children needed more uninterrupted time to finish their play.