Lighthall Under Fives Pre-School

Eggs hatching, vegetables growing and children choosing their own snacks give Lighthall Under Fives Pre-School a recognisable character in July 2023: learning involved watching, questioning and taking responsibility. Based at Layca Community Centre in Shirley, Solihull, it has 25 places in total.

At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Outstanding and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. That dated picture combines practical independence with experiences that gave children something concrete to investigate.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing play, communication and physical development into the day. In July 2023, children exercised their hands with daily play dough and developed coordination on slide ladders. A pirate ship offered another physical challenge: children practised judging how to use its pole safely.

Growing plants and vegetables connected looking after living things with tasting the eventual produce. Watching eggs hatch gave children reasons to ask questions and test ideas. These were experiences children could follow through, rather than isolated demonstrations.

In July 2023, stories also extended into play. Fishing activities introduced vocabulary about sea creatures, while artwork gave children another way to explore colour and texture. The lending library let families borrow games and books, carrying shared learning beyond the pre-school. Tennis lessons on the field added ball skills to the physical activities.

In July 2023, staff modelled courteous speech and helped children practise independence through everyday tasks. Children handled their belongings, washed their hands and managed their own toileting. Snack preparation included peeling oranges and cutting grapes; children also poured drinks and spread butter on crackers. Small responsibilities made self-care part of the routine.

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that individual speech and language intervention, supported by additional SEND training for staff, helped children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make excellent progress from their starting points.

Weekly newsletters in July 2023 connected families with what children were learning and offered ideas to continue at home. Staff supervision included ongoing suitability checks, and risk assessments addressed the premises alongside teaching children to judge risks themselves.

The address is Layca Community Centre, Stretton Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 2RL. The community-centre setting is the practical location to plan around.

In July 2023, the pre-school operated Monday to Friday during term time, with sessions running from 8am to 4pm. It received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. These arrangements describe that period.

• Attendance planning. The July 2023 arrangements were term-time weekday sessions from 8am to 4pm. At a visit, ask which current booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements would fit your week.
• Language support. Individual speech and language work featured in July 2023. For a child needing that support, discuss how it would be organised around their particular needs.

Lighthall suits families who value hands-on investigation and opportunities for children to take responsibility. Its July 2023 picture is memorable for growing food, borrowing books and practising everyday skills. The Outstanding judgement gives that picture weight, while the term-time sessional model described then is central to assessing its practical fit.