Mount Carmel Pre-School and Wraparound Care

Garden exploration and collaboration with the school on site shaped Mount Carmel's day in September 2021. At its September 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, made good progress.

The setting has 40 places in total. In September 2021, children attending were aged 2 to 9, spanning preschool and out-of-school care; that age range describes the inspection period.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing play and learning together with everyday wellbeing. In September 2021, children chose activities inside and outside, while staff used conversation to expand their ideas and language.

The garden supplied practical encounters with nature: children watched squirrels and spiders and grew produce through to harvesting. Access to a forest area and the school playground added opportunities for movement, alongside daily aerobics with music. These experiences linked physical activity with exploration.

Books also had a clear place in the day. In September 2021, children selected books independently and became absorbed in shared stories; a daily helper activity encouraged older children to listen to descriptive clues and develop vocabulary. Cooperative play included a pretend shop, while younger children explored paint.

There were limits to the learning offer. In September 2021, some group activities failed to engage every child or address their learning needs, and some preschool activities needed greater challenge to sustain exploration. Those are useful distinctions for families weighing the provision for an older preschool child.

In September 2021, staff treated children warmly and respectfully, joining play at the children's level. Everyday independence received patient attention: children practised putting on shoes, and younger children managed their own coats and bags.

Settling and moves between rooms or into school were planned with parents in September 2021. This flexible approach also extended to Reception-age children starting breakfast or after-school care. Staff assessed learning through observations and considered support where gaps emerged, connecting everyday play with individual next steps.

Two-way communication and periodic parent feedback formed part of the arrangements in September 2021. Leaders supported staff wellbeing and further training, and used monitoring systems to review provision. These are dated features of the care arrangements rather than a description of today's staffing.

The address is Mount Carmel RC Primary School, Downsell Road, Redditch, B97 5RR.

In September 2021, preschool sessions ran from 8.45am to 3pm during term time. Out-of-school care operated from 7.30am to 8.45am and from 3.10pm to 6pm, also during term time. Funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds at that time.

Staff worked with the school on site in September 2021 to prepare children for their next educational stage. Attending the preschool does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Older children's challenge. September 2021 findings called for more demanding exploratory activities and better planning of group learning. How do today's activities stretch older preschool children and include children with different learning needs?
• School entry. The setting's school-site connection supported transition work in September 2021. Families should keep the Reception application separate from their childcare choice.
• Attendance arrangements. The September 2021 timetable combined term-time preschool with care before and after school. What are the current session choices, accepted ages and funded attendance arrangements?

Mount Carmel suits families considering preschool sessions or before- and after-school care linked to a school site. Its September 2021 picture combines practical independence, outdoor exploration and collaborative settling, balanced against specific weaknesses in group planning and older children's challenge. The dated inspection provides a useful starting point for that choice.