Crowhurst Preschool

Growing vegetables, exploring beach safety and climbing a garden tree gave Crowhurst Preschool's June 2021 provision a practical character. At its June 2021 inspection, Ofsted judged the preschool Good overall, with the same grade across education, behaviour, personal development and leadership.

Based at Crowhurst Youth Club in Crowhurst, Battle, the preschool has capacity for 24 children, with an age range from birth to five. The inspection offers a dated picture of children's experience: its observations concern children aged two to four.

In June 2021, the early years foundation stage took concrete shape through growing plants, comparing shoots and learning about recycling and composting. These activities brought observation, conversation and environmental ideas into children's play. Staff followed children's interest in watering flowers and vegetables, using it to discuss how the plants were developing.

Through a boats and beaches topic, children learnt about Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) flags and their role in beach safety. In the garden, children could climb a tree, learning to judge how to do so safely and choosing when they felt ready to try independently. The physical challenge sat alongside activities requiring persistence, including passing wool through pasta tubes.

Activity preparation was less consistent. In June 2021, some threading materials were difficult for children to use because suitable resources were missing. Further staff development was the improvement priority, making the organisation of learning a useful point to explore on a visit.

At the June 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children's care needs well met, with additional staffing and relevant training supporting children who needed individual help.

In June 2021, staff noticed when children needed extra attention and encouraged them to talk about their feelings. They helped children find ways to handle anger and upset. Older children treated younger children kindly, adding a social dimension to that work on emotions.

Communication also mattered during that period. Staff shared information about learning and progress with parents while access to the premises was restricted. Recent staff changes had caused little disruption, and new practitioners had built relationships with children and families.

The address is Crowhurst Youth Club, Crowhurst, Battle, TN33 9AY.

In June 2021, the preschool operated during term time on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, opening from 9am to 3pm. These are historical arrangements, so they should be read alongside the dated account of daily life.

• Teaching development. The June 2021 improvement priority concerned developing the staff team, and some activities needed better preparation. On a visit, ask how training now translates into well-organised learning materials.
• Age range and attendance. The current age range extends from birth to five, while the June 2021 observations concern two- to four-year-olds. Ask which ages the preschool currently accommodates and which attendance patterns families can book.

Crowhurst Preschool suits families interested in practical learning and a village setting, with growing plants, environmental topics and garden challenges giving its June 2021 experience clear character. The Good judgement provides a useful historical assessment. Staff development was the qualification to that positive picture, and the age of the inspection makes a visit valuable when assessing today's provision.