High Ham Preschool

Mud pies made with pinecones, insect searches among leaves and outdoor storytelling give High Ham Preschool a recognisable character. Its November 2023 provision combined practical exploration with language, number work and growing independence.

At its November 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the preschool Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good progress, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. There are 20 places in total; the children attending in November 2023 were aged two to four. The preschool operates on High Ham School Site in High Ham, near Langport.

In November 2023, activities followed children's interests and their next learning steps. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: here, play brought together practical skills, conversation and early mathematical ideas. Pouring coloured sand between containers exercised children's hands while prompting comparisons of size and quantity.

Literacy also involved thinking time. Children had time to think and suggest rhyming words. Staff introduced vocabulary during activities, including the names of insects.

Outside, the Bear Hunt story accompanied exploration, while the daily mile involved walking, running and jumping. These were physical experiences alongside imaginative ones. Leaves became places to search for insects; shells and pinecones became ingredients for pretend recipes. Each example belongs to November 2023, rather than a current activity timetable.

In November 2023, staff helped children settle disagreements and take responsibility for shared routines. A bell signalled tidying time, and children worked together to put things away. That gave cooperation a practical purpose.

Developmental monitoring helped identify gaps, while communication with external agencies supported access to help. Coordination with other settings children attended connected their learning across different provision. Parents received conversations and updates about development, including ideas about what their children were learning next.

Health education was concrete: children took turns pretending to be dentists and practised cleaning toy teeth. Staff development included team meetings, training and supervision. Safeguarding practice included checks on staff knowledge, recruitment procedures and daily assessments of environmental risks.

The address is High Ham School Site, High Ham, Langport, Somerset TA10 9BY.

In November 2023, preschool sessions ran from 8.45am to 3.15pm on weekdays during term time. A separate breakfast club operated from 7.15am to 8.45am and catered for children up to 11 years old. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four.

The preschool used the village school's grounds in November 2023. Attending a preschool on a school site does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Extending play. In November 2023, staff sometimes missed chances to take children's learning further. Ask how practitioners now build on a child's idea during play.
• Term-time routines. The November 2023 arrangement combined daytime preschool sessions with an earlier breakfast club. How do those patterns operate now, and how would they fit your family's week?

High Ham Preschool's November 2023 strengths were tangible: outdoor exploration, thoughtful language work and communication with families. The teaching improvement point matters too, because enjoyable play gains educational value when adults recognise where to take it next.

The inspection-era arrangement suits consideration by families seeking term-time pre-school sessions or the breakfast club. It occupied the village school's grounds in November 2023; attendance carries no promise of a Reception place.