Chatburn Pre-School and Out of School Club

Paint, toy cars and growing independence give Chatburn its character. At its 7 February 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, with children engaged in play and learning organised to build on their existing skills. The useful detail lies in those everyday experiences, rather than the grade alone.

Based at Chatburn C of E School in Clitheroe, the setting cares for babies and preschool children and has 50 places in total. Nursery care runs throughout the year; at the February 2024 inspection, the out-of-school club operated during term time.

In February 2024, babies experimented with paint using broad brushes and sent cars through a pipe onto a slope. These were simple resources with several uses: exploring movement, making marks and following an interest through play.

Physical development also took different forms across the ages. During that month, toddlers transferred sand between containers with spoons, while older children handled dried noodles with chopsticks. Babies were encouraged to stretch and move towards toys. These activities connected hand control and larger movements with practical exploration.

Healthy eating and dental care also became talking points in February 2024. Older children could explain connections between food choices and looking after their teeth. This brought learning into an everyday subject children could discuss, rather than leaving it as an activity completed and forgotten. Their willingness to share what they knew gave adults a practical opening for conversation about familiar habits.

The early years foundation stage is the statutory framework for learning, development and care, with children learning through play as well as everyday routines. In February 2024, activities followed a planned progression, and staff used children's emerging interests when deciding what to introduce next.

Language was the improvement priority. In February 2024, songs, rhymes and conversation supported communication, but staff did not consistently introduce sufficiently ambitious vocabulary. For parents, the question is how ordinary play now creates opportunities to hear and use unfamiliar words.

At the February 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children securely attached to staff; support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities involved families, other professionals and help directed at individual needs.

Settling arrangements in February 2024 took account of babies' routines at home. Families whose children needed longer to settle could stay with them and make additional visits. That allowed the settling process to respond to the child rather than expecting every family to follow an identical timetable.

A key person gave parents someone familiar to discuss their child's learning with. In February 2024, children also practised serving lunch and managing coats and wellies themselves. Care and independence worked together: adults responded to hunger, tiredness and distress while giving children manageable responsibilities.

In February 2024, staff helped children cope with difficult feelings, encouraging sharing and consideration for friends. Support connected behaviour with its effect on other people. Parents were also kept informed about progress and the next steps in learning. Alongside access to a familiar key person, that gave families specific information about what their child was working towards.

The address is Chatburn C of E School, Sawley Road, Chatburn, Clitheroe, BB7 4AS. Nursery opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year.

In February 2024, nursery sessions covered that daytime window; the out-of-school club operated during term time, with sessions from 7.30am to 9am and 3.30pm to 6pm. These are different arrangements for nursery care and care around the school day.

Transition work in February 2024 involved contact between the preschool room leader and the primary school. Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Applications for Reception at Chatburn C of E Primary School go through Lancashire County Council.

• Vocabulary development. Broadening children's vocabulary was the February 2024 improvement priority. During a visit, ask how staff introduce new words through play and conversation.
• Settling around home routines. In February 2024, additional visits and parents staying with their children supported difficult separations. Discuss how this approach would work for your child's routines.
• School-site transition. Contact with the primary school supported transition in February 2024, but Reception admission remains a separate application. Families planning ahead need to consider both arrangements.

Chatburn merits consideration for families seeking nursery care across the year. Its February 2024 attendance patterns included full-day nursery sessions and term-time out-of-school sessions around the school day. Its February 2024 strengths were concrete: responsive settling, hands-on play and opportunities to manage everyday tasks. Vocabulary development is the clear point to explore when assessing how the nursery's practice has developed.