Sandford Preschool

Tree climbing, storybook bridges and a conker rescued from the herb garden give Sandford Preschool a recognisable character: outdoor exploration and imaginative play shaped its May 2022 daily life. Small discoveries became learning opportunities.

Sandford Preschool has 20 places in total at 14 Blundellsands Road West, Blundellsands, Liverpool, L23 6TF. At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and judged safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four; the experiences below describe that period.

In May 2022, the early years foundation stage provided the framework for children's learning and care, with play offering opportunities to develop language, physical skills and understanding of the world. Children gathered bark and shrubs for a dinosaur world, connecting imaginative play with conversations about the distant past. Blocks became a bridge for Billy Goats story play.

The herb garden offered another route into discovery that month. A sprouting conker uncovered during gardening was replanted in a container, giving children something living to observe. Outdoors, trees offered opportunities to climb and swing, while taking turns brought a social element to physical challenges.

Mathematics was also receiving attention in May 2022. A review had found that children's progress in mathematics fell short of expectations, prompting staff to introduce mathematical learning across the environment. This mattered because number learning could become part of children's activities rather than remain confined to a separate task.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that collaboration with other professionals supported children with SEND, that practitioners were learning Makaton to help children with speech and language delay, and that wheelchair adaptations enabled access to the garden. Inclusion extended to outdoor play.

In May 2022, predictable routines helped children act independently: music signalled tidying, followed by gathering for group activities. A promise board recognised helpful behaviour, with children celebrating kindness and listening by both children and adults.

Settling arrangements that month included holiday visits with parents and teddies that travelled to children's homes. An accompanying picture book introduced the preschool environment and staff, making the unfamiliar more recognisable before attendance.

The address is 14 Blundellsands Road West, Blundellsands, Liverpool, L23 6TF.

In May 2022, opening hours were 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that date. These arrangements describe the inspection period.

• Outdoor boundaries. In May 2022, reminders about slowing bikes on a slope were inconsistent, and children sometimes collided with the gate. More consistent reinforcement of safety rules was the improvement required; this matters alongside the opportunities for adventurous play.
• Attendance arrangements. The May 2022 opening pattern was term-time weekdays. What sessions and funded attendance arrangements would apply to your child now?

Sandford Preschool suits families who value outdoor discovery, imaginative play and predictable routines. Its May 2022 experiences linked trees, gardening and stories with children's learning, while settling teddies offered a practical bridge between home and preschool. The Good judgement provides a dated quality reference; the specific reservation concerned how consistently staff reinforced boundaries during risk-taking play.