St Andrew's Preschool Ashton

An emotion puppet named Ged and outdoor obstacle-building give St Andrew's Preschool Ashton a recognisable character: feelings and physical play both feature in its inspection-era account. This Preston preschool has 27 places in total and accepts children aged 24 to 60 months.

At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) received effective support and progressed well. Later premises-related action matters to the decision too, including restrictions on access to some areas.

In May 2024, children threaded pasta onto rope, took turns in a rhyme game and built outdoor obstacle courses involving climbing and balancing. These were practical opportunities to exercise coordination, listen and negotiate shared play.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2024 examples show learning through play alongside routines that helped children understand what would happen next: a lunchtime reminder prompted them to help tidy away.

Ged, an emotion puppet, helped children discuss happiness and sadness in May 2024. A calming happy mind session also began their session. These examples connect emotional awareness with the rhythm of the day rather than treating it as a separate lesson.

In May 2024, staff identified developmental gaps and arranged individual support with parents and other professionals. Parents' evenings and a book lending library provided ways to connect home with preschool learning.

Children also practised everyday independence that month, washing their hands before eating and cutting fruit with a safety knife. Staff encouraged parents to send healthy packed lunches, while displaying children's paintings and praising their efforts gave recognition to their work.

There were two teaching weaknesses in May 2024: quieter children sometimes lost staff attention to more confident peers, and less-experienced practitioners did not consistently extend play or apply the curriculum effectively. Both matter because participation should reach children who are less likely to speak up.

The address is Tulketh Road, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, PR2 1EQ. Opening hours are 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; school holidays are closure periods.

In May 2024, funded early education was offered for two-, three- and four-year-olds. Parents supplied packed lunches at that time.

Ofsted's January 2025 follow-up confirmed action on indoor temperature, exit labelling, evacuation hazards and risk assessment, but further premises concerns led to action in September 2025, with the September outcome accepting revised risk assessments and recording that some areas would no longer be accessed. The actions were met, but the repeated risk-assessment issue and resulting access restriction remain relevant.

• Quieter children's participation. May 2024 teaching did not consistently reach quieter children. On a visit, ask how practitioners draw them into conversation and extend their play.
• Premises access. The September 2025 outcome followed further risk-assessment action and excluded some areas from use. Ask which areas this affects and how the usable space supports children's day.
• Term-time fit. School holidays are closure periods. Families needing care through those weeks will need another arrangement.

St Andrew's suits families seeking term-time preschool care who value practical play, emotional learning and links between home and preschool. Its May 2024 assessment was positive, but uneven language teaching and the later premises restrictions deserve weight alongside that judgement.