Bishops Hull Preschool

Puppets, dinosaur textures and experiments with floating objects give Bishops Hull Preschool's May 2023 experience its character: practical play with plenty of opportunities to talk. At its 23 May 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good. The strongest examples centred on language, independence and adapting activities to individual children.

The preschool has 23 places in total, at Bishops Hull Primary School in Taunton. Children attending in May 2023 were aged two to four; that age range describes the children at that time.

The early years foundation stage sets out requirements for children's learning, development and care, connecting play with communication, personal development and preparation for further learning. In May 2023, children explored weight and buoyancy by choosing objects, predicting what would happen and testing them in water. Waiting for a turn was part of the activity too.

Storytelling used puppets to hold attention and open conversations about feelings and behaviour. Practitioners allowed thinking time after questions, modelled words carefully and encouraged signing. These were concrete ways to make conversation part of play.

Physical challenges included stilts and climbing and balancing equipment. Children practised persistence, while everyday tasks such as looking after belongings, putting on shoes and peeling bananas gave independence a practical purpose.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, children making good progress and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefiting from predictable routines and adapted activities. A dinosaur activity had both wet and dry versions, allowing children who disliked messy textures to join the exploration.

In May 2023, staff exchanged information with families through apps and daily discussions, covering children's needs, activities and development. They also worked with other agencies to keep care and learning consistent. Staff encouraged children when they tried or mastered new skills.

The address is Bishops Hull Primary School, Bishops Hull Hill, Bishops Hull, Taunton, TA1 5EB. In May 2023, the preschool operated independently within the primary school.

Opening hours that month were 9am to midday on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 9am to 3.15pm on Tuesday and Thursday, during term time. Early education funding supported two-, three- and four-year-old children at that time.

Sharing the school site does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Creativity and staff development. In May 2023, training needed sharper direction to strengthen imaginative and creative learning. During a visit, ask how that work now shapes children's activities.
• Learning about other families. In May 2023, experiences involving different communities and family lives needed further development. Ask for examples of how children encounter these perspectives today.
• Attendance fit. The May 2023 opening pattern combined shorter mornings with longer Tuesdays and Thursdays. What attendance arrangements would now suit your child and working week?

The May 2023 picture will appeal to families who value conversational play, practical independence and activities adapted so children can participate together. The improvement priorities deserve attention alongside those strengths. This is an inspection-era account of a preschool whose daily examples were concrete and purposeful, with creativity and learning about other communities the areas requiring further work.