Norton St Philip Pre School

Chalk on paving, buckets on balancing scales and stories in an outdoor den give Norton St Philip Pre School a practical, playful character in its May 2025 account. With capacity for 14 children, this Church Street setting offers a small overall scale, rather than a promise about how many children attend together.

At its 15 May 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest thread through the activities was preparation for greater independence: practising early writing, solving practical problems and managing everyday tasks.

In May 2025, activities followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care. Its practical expression included conversation, physical play, books and early mathematics, with different challenges for younger and older children.

Younger children drew with chalk outdoors and worked dough with tools, exercising their hands as they played. Older children practised writing letters from their names. Buckets on large scales made quantity and balance visible: children experimented with their contents to bring the sides level.

Outdoor life extended beyond equipment in the garden. Children watered plants and walked around the village, connecting their learning with growing things and their surroundings. An outdoor den provided a place to listen to stories, while books could be borrowed for reading with family. These were activities documented in May 2025, rather than a current timetable.

At the May 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff responded patiently to children, supported their communication, including those speaking more than one language, and helped them develop independence. Reassurance could mean a cuddle followed by a shared puzzle; conversation gave children time to express themselves before adults extended their vocabulary.

During that month, mealtimes also provided practice in doing things independently. Children poured drinks, peeled fruit and opened packets, with adults encouraging persistence. Clear explanations supported cooperation, and older children showed consideration towards younger ones during play.

Parents received updates about the day and periodic meetings about development, with additional conversations for children needing extra support. However, changing learning priorities were not shared regularly enough. Information exchange with other settings also needed strengthening, so that adults could plan more consistently around each child.

Church Street, Norton St. Philip, Bath, BA2 7LU is the address. In May 2025, opening hours were 8.45am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, in school terms. Government-funded places were provided at that time.

The May 2025 account places the pre-school within the grounds of Norton St Phillip Church of England First School and describes liaison to prepare children for moving on. Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Learning updates. More regular sharing of children's changing learning priorities was the May 2025 improvement point. Ask how these updates now reach families and any other setting a child attends.
• Attendance fit. The May 2025 opening pattern followed school terms and finished mid-afternoon. How do today's booking options, funded hours and arrangements for meals and consumables fit your family's week?

For families seeking a small pre-school setting, the May 2025 picture combines hands-on learning with everyday independence and village walks. It suits parents who value these experiences and whose care needs fit a term-time, daytime pattern. More consistent communication about learning is the substantive point to weigh alongside the Good judgement.