Dinnington Pre-School

Books, conversation and community experiences give Dinnington Pre-School its character. At its September 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding, judged safeguarding effective and praised the education and inclusion of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The setting has 24 places in total and is based at Dinnington Resource Centre on Laughton Road.

In September 2023, the children attending were aged two to four. Their day combined shared routines with activities adapted to individual interests: recognising their names, talking about occupations and planning constructions together. The emphasis was on participation, with adults working alongside children rather than simply directing activities from a distance.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, its everyday expression in September 2023 included play, stories, singing and opportunities to practise communication. These were connected experiences: a book could introduce an occupation, which then became a subject for conversation and new vocabulary.

During September 2023, staff used repeated words and gave children time to answer. Reading training through a local initiative informed their work with books. Questions encouraged children to explain their ideas, while conversations about jobs invited them to consider what different people do. For a child building confidence with language, that meant opportunities to speak within an activity they already enjoyed.

The construction area offered another route into discussion. In September 2023, children developed plans together, with adults prompting them to consider height and what to try next. Shared building gave conversation a practical purpose: children could explain an idea, hear someone else's suggestion and work towards something together.

Outdoor and Community Life

In September 2023, outdoor play continued in wet and windy weather, with staff adjusting activities and assessing conditions. Physical play therefore extended beyond fine-weather days. Adults worked with children both outside and indoors, adapting experiences so children could participate.

Community experiences also broadened the day that September. Trips took children to a fruit shop, a dance studio, the park, a library and a supermarket; visits from the fire service introduced another occupation. These experiences gave children real places and people to connect with the ideas discussed in stories and play. No fixed frequency is implied by those examples.

At the September 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that the key-person arrangements, individual SEND plans and targeted support helped children make progress, especially in communication and language. The practical detail matters: support was tailored to the child rather than confined to a single activity for everyone.

In September 2023, staff established children's starting points through conversations during transition visits and through play observations. Sensory breaks were one example of a small intervention. Managers sought professional advice and training, while additional funding supported specialist resources and attendance, including access to extended provision and the community lunch club, a lunch opportunity within the wider support offered to children.

Communication with families used several routes that September: an app, email and everyday conversations. Staff also exchanged observations and ideas with each other during the day. This gave parents ways to share information and helped practitioners connect what they knew about a child with the next activity or conversation.

Healthy snacks, shared lunches with adults and information for families about dental health formed part of care in September 2023. Eating together provided opportunities to practise manners as well as discuss healthy choices.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Dinnington Resource Centre, 131 Laughton Road, Dinnington, Sheffield, S25 2PP. The centre's contact route accepts enquiries by telephone, email or an online form.

In September 2023, the pre-school operated on weekdays during term time, with session times of 9.15am to 12.15pm and 12.45pm to 3.45pm. Those dated arrangements describe a day organised around separate sessions, rather than an uninterrupted opening window.

Getting There

The Resource Centre has a car park, with access to the building through the front door on Laughton Road. Dinnington Interchange is the nearest bus stop; the centre describes the route as a 5 min walk (0.3 miles) from the Interchange.

Funding and Paid Extras

In September 2023, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of eligibility or a particular funded attendance pattern.

• Attendance arrangements. The September 2023 timetable comprised separate sessions during term time. Before joining, ask which current attendance pattern and funded arrangement would fit your child's age and your working week.
• Individual support. September 2023 practice included sensory breaks, individual SEND plans and professional advice. During a visit, discuss how a key person would translate your child's needs into activities and communication with home.

Dinnington Pre-School merits consideration for families who value conversation, books and experiences beyond the playroom. Its September 2023 practice brought those elements together through shared construction, community visits and individual support. The dated timetable suited families seeking either morning or afternoon attendance during term time. The inspection judgement is strong; the practical decision is how that sessional approach fits family life.