Playdays Pre-school

In May 2024, garden balancing challenges and an outdoor microphone brought physical play together with opportunities to speak, sing and experiment at Playdays Pre-school. This Chard setting operates from Methodist Church Hall and has 24 places in total.

At its May 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged Playdays Good overall and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four; they settled confidently and readily joined activities. That is a dated picture of the pre-school, rather than a description of today's attendance arrangements.

In May 2024, the curriculum followed the early years foundation stage, covering children's learning, development and care through planned activities. Language and emotional development received particular attention: staff allowed children time to consider what they heard and practise expressing themselves.

The garden offered a climbing frame, trikes, tyres and balance beams. These gave children different ways to practise coordination and test their physical skills. An outdoor music area included a microphone, with crates providing a place to perform for friends.

Sensory exploration was equally concrete. Children combined herbs, mud and teabags in the mud kitchen, explored citrus fruit in water and investigated pineapple through taste and smell. Indoors, a play kitchen encouraged shared imaginative play, while shaping play dough exercised hands and fingers. Pots and pans attached to the fence became instruments for exploring changes in volume and rhythm.

Community outings in May 2024 included the museum, library, local café and pet shops. They extended children's experiences beyond the hall. Links with local schools and a school readiness programme also supported preparation for the next stage.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that predictable boundaries supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and that staff helped children make good progress. A visual board showing the current activity and the next one made the day's sequence easier to understand.

Communication in May 2024 combined newsletters, online photographs and progress updates with opportunities to speak to a key person or manager. Staff also discussed their practice in meetings and had undertaken emotional-development training, giving them more ways to respond to different needs.

Snack time provided opportunities to cut fruit and pour drinks independently. Hygiene support needed more consistency: staff sometimes missed children who needed a reminder to clean their hands or use a tissue. Supporting hygiene habits consistently was the May 2024 improvement priority.

The address is Methodist Church Hall, Fore Street, Chard, Somerset TA20 1QA. In May 2024, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during school terms.

At that time, Playdays received early years funding for children aged two, three and four. This describes its funding participation at that visit, rather than establishing a current funded attendance arrangement.

• Attendance arrangements. The May 2024 timetable covered three weekdays during school terms. What attendance arrangements now apply to your child?
• Hygiene reminders. Consistency with handwashing and tissue use was the May 2024 improvement priority. During a visit, ask how practitioners help children build these habits throughout the day.

Playdays merits consideration for families who value practical, sensory play and experiences beyond the nursery building. The May 2024 picture combines garden challenges, creative exploration and community outings, with a clear improvement point around hygiene reminders. Its term-time timetable at that visit would have suited families seeking care on those particular weekdays.