St Giles Preschool

Counting toy vehicles, mixing pretend potions and throwing beanbags into hoops give a concrete picture of St Giles Preschool’s September 2021 day. This West Bridgford setting has capacity for 20 children, with its base at Lutterell Hall on Church Drive.

At its September 2021 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending at that time were aged two to three. The dated account offers useful detail about learning and relationships, rather than a picture of today’s daily arrangements.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care: play, conversation and everyday routines contribute to their education.

In September 2021, staff extended counting through children’s interest in toy vehicles and introduced unfamiliar objects through discussion, including what a hot water bottle was used for. Learning grew from something children already wanted to explore. Garden activities included aiming beanbags at hoops, giving physical coordination a practical outlet.

The September 2021 pre-school promises encouraged listening and kindness, making behavioural expectations understandable to young children. Pretend potion-making involved sharing ingredients and waiting for a turn. Daily routines also introduced counting and words describing position, connecting mathematics with what children were doing.

In September 2021, settling included individual time with a practitioner and sharing a story when a child was upset. Children talked with staff about pets and relatives, while familiar rhymes prompted playful exchanges with friends. These examples put relationships alongside learning.

The September 2021 talk to me about stickers carried comments about children’s achievements, giving parents a specific starting point for conversation at home. Independence was practised through pouring drinks, washing hands before eating and disposing of used tissues. Those small tasks also supported preparation for school.

Safety routines in September 2021 included checking indoor and outdoor spaces and locking the car park gates before children crossed to the garden. Staff refreshed safeguarding knowledge through meeting discussions and quizzes.

The address is Lutterell Hall Church Drive, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 6AY.

In September 2021, attendance ran during term time, Monday to Friday: session times were 9.10am to 2.10pm from Monday to Thursday, and 9.10am to 12.10pm on Fridays. At that date, the preschool provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Building on existing learning. In September 2021, some activities planned by newer staff did not sufficiently extend children’s existing knowledge. Families can ask how practitioners now establish starting points and plan the next step.
• Attendance fit. The September 2021 pattern combined term-time attendance with an earlier Friday finish. How do today’s sessions, accepted ages and funding arrangements fit your family’s week?

St Giles Preschool merits consideration for families who value learning through play and practical independence. Its September 2021 account combines garden activity, conversational learning and concrete links with home, balanced by a clear development point about newer staff’s planning. The strongest basis for choosing it is that dated picture of everyday practice, alongside a session arrangement that fits the family.