New Ash Green Preschool

In March 2022, balancing beams, story-led making and a classroom on a primary-school site shaped daily life at New Ash Green Preschool. It has capacity for 27 children. At its March 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective.

The children attending in March 2022 were aged two to four. That dated picture provides useful detail about preschool life, rather than a description of baby care.

In March 2022, children used low beams to practise balance outdoors, learning to pause while someone else took a turn. Physical activity also included stretching and breathing exercises, with counting woven into the latter. Movement served more than one purpose: coordination, patience and early number work.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, the March 2022 examples included language practice during play: staff repeated children's words as they examined branches with a magnifying glass. After hearing Stick Man, children made their own stick characters, connecting a story with a practical activity.

Activities changed in response to children's interests. A shared floor puzzle gave children another reason to exchange ideas and cooperate.

In March 2022, parents knew their child's key person and received activity updates through an online platform. The weakness was the next step: parents did not understand the individual learning priorities well enough to carry them through at home.

Staff tracked their key children's learning and sought local-authority funding and advice from outside agencies. However, their knowledge of other children's needs was less consistent. Cover arrangements therefore mattered: support could depend too heavily on the familiar practitioner being present.

Independent handwashing before meals and help with building friendships were also part of the March 2022 routines. These were practical opportunities to develop self-care and cooperation.

The address is New Ash Green Primary School, Church Road, New Ash Green, Longfield, DA3 8JT. In March 2022, the preschool occupied a classroom within the primary school. Attendance at the preschool does not guarantee a Reception place.

At that time, opening hours were 8.50am to 11.50am on Monday to Friday, with afternoon opening from 12.30pm to 3.30pm on up to four days each week, during term time. The preschool then received funding for free education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Learning updates. The March 2022 improvement requirement concerned parents' understanding of individual progress. Ask how learning priorities and ideas for home are shared now.
• Continuity of care. In March 2022, staff needed better knowledge of children beyond their own key group. Ask how cover practitioners learn each child's needs and interests.
• Attendance pattern. The March 2022 timetable combined weekday mornings with fewer afternoon openings. Discuss how today's booking pattern would fit your week.

New Ash Green Preschool merits consideration for families seeking preschool care within a primary-school setting. Its March 2022 picture combined hands-on learning, outdoor movement and familiar routines. The practical fit was for families using mornings or afternoons during term time; the clearest points to explore are communication about learning and consistency when a key practitioner is away.