Our Lady of Ransom Preschool

A bird’s nest inside a curiosity cube captures the character of Our Lady of Ransom Preschool: everyday objects became starting points for exploration and conversation. At its 24 April 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that staff used professional advice to plan support for children’s individual needs.

The setting has capacity for 40 children at Pope John Paul Hall, London Road, Rayleigh, SS6 9DT. Children attending in April 2023 were aged two to four. The most useful picture of its daily life is therefore a dated one, with practical creativity and outdoor discovery prominent.

In April 2023, the main hall accommodated craft and imaginative play. Children selected modelling materials and worked on creations such as a dinosaur, with adults helping them choose suitable pieces. Dressing-up accessories supported role play. These were opportunities to make choices and turn ideas into something tangible.

The preschool followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children’s learning, development and care. Here, its April 2023 activities connected play with language, imagination and physical development. The curiosity cube held objects for children to examine and discuss; a bird’s nest prompted adult questions that extended their thinking.

Outside, in April 2023, bicycles, tricycles and balancing equipment supported movement, while bug-hunting equipment encouraged children to investigate insects. Adults used books and online information to help identify their discoveries. Books also travelled home for families to share, giving stories a place beyond the preschool session.

In April 2023, staff drew on external specialists’ guidance when preparing learning and care plans, and used speech and language strategies with individual children. This made support concrete: advice was translated into plans and communication activities rather than left as a general intention.

Safeguarding discussions formed part of monthly staff meetings in April 2023. In April 2023, staff had tightened the checks made after outdoor play following a recent incident, so every child would be accounted for inside before the hall door was shut. These details show the procedures operating at that time.

Preparation for the next stage of learning also had a practical emphasis in April 2023. Children used knives to cut fruit, giving them a manageable task through which to practise independence.

Pope John Paul Hall on London Road is the preschool’s Rayleigh address. In April 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, during school terms. That was a daytime, term-time arrangement rather than an account of separate bookable sessions.

In April 2023, the preschool provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Independence and oversight. At the April 2023 inspection, Ofsted asked for more opportunities to develop independence and closer leadership monitoring of teaching and management procedures. These are useful priorities to discuss when assessing the preschool’s present practice.
• Attendance fit. The April 2023 timetable covered four named weekdays during term time. What attendance pattern and age range can the preschool offer your child now?

Creative projects, the curiosity cube and garden exploration give the April 2023 account substance. This is a preschool to consider for families drawn to hands-on play and practical independence. Its inspection-era term-time timetable would have suited families needing daytime attendance around school terms; the dated findings remain the basis for judging its quality here.