Jack and Jill Preschool

Ducklings learning to swim and vegetables grown for harvesting give Jack and Jill Preschool's June 2023 daily life a memorable character. Based at Christchurch Banstead, it has 26 places in total. At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good.

Children attending then were aged two to four. This is a preschool account built around play, friendships and preparation for the next stage, with two clear improvement priorities: extending learning consistently and working more closely with families on healthy lunches.

In June 2023, children chose activities indoors and outside. Filling containers with water or sand let them explore how materials behaved; mixing potions gave them another reason to experiment. Counting, shapes and chalk marks brought early mathematics and writing into play.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the June 2023 examples included stories, physical activity and hands-on exploration. Children retold books through play, while adults introduced words to describe textures. Language had practical uses.

Outside, bicycles, running and jumping provided movement opportunities in June 2023. Growing vegetables and watching newly hatched ducklings swim connected learning with living things. However, some group stories lasted too long for younger children, whose loss of concentration interrupted others. Matching activities to children's different stages was an important improvement priority.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with staff adapting their approach alongside parents and other professionals.

In June 2023, adults comforted children who needed reassurance and used encouragement to recognise effort. Communication with families included updates on development and ideas for learning at home, giving parents ways to continue activities beyond preschool.

Snacks were provided in June 2023, while families supplied packed lunches. Closer work with parents on balanced lunches was needed so that healthy-eating messages carried through the day.

The address is Christchurch Banstead, 150 High Street, Banstead, Surrey SM7 2NZ. There are 26 places in total across the setting.

In June 2023, opening hours were 9.20am to 3pm each weekday during term time. Funded early education was provided then for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Different stages of learning. Some younger children struggled with lengthy stories in June 2023. Families should weigh how activities are adapted to sustain attention and extend learning.
• Lunches and healthy eating. The June 2023 improvement priority concerned closer collaboration over packed lunches. Consistent messages between home and preschool matter here.
• Attendance arrangements. What opening hours, booking patterns and funded arrangements apply to a child joining now?

Jack and Jill Preschool suits families drawn to practical preschool play, outdoor movement and learning about living things. Its June 2023 strengths came with useful cautions about the pitch of group activities and healthy lunches. The term-time weekday operation described then will be especially relevant to families seeking care around the school calendar.