Sunshine Pre School, The Village Hall

Garden games and puddle play featured at this Puriton preschool's February 2026 inspection, but the findings raise serious questions about children's education and care. At the 11 February 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding standards not met, behaviour and routines and children's welfare as Needs attention, and achievement, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership as Urgent improvement.

Sunshine Pre School, The Village Hall has 26 places in total for children aged 24 to 60 months. The village-hall setting offers term-time childcare, with school holidays closed.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care: everyday play and interactions should help children build communication, relationships and early understanding. The educational concerns here go beyond the choice of activities.

At the February 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that teaching did not build effectively on children's existing skills, assessments were poorly used to plan learning, and children, including those with SEND, were not gaining the communication, confidence and thinking skills needed for their next stage. Group activities emphasised calendar knowledge while some children struggled to communicate or manage their emotions. Counting during climbing was an example of an opportunity that staff did not develop further.

Outdoor play supplied a more positive part of the February 2026 day. Children played physical games in the garden, used climbing equipment and splashed in puddles with wellies supplied by staff. These gave children opportunities to move, play together and enjoy the outdoors.

In February 2026, staff talked with parents about children's feelings and followed family preferences for care routines. Tired children had somewhere to rest, and some sought comfort through cuddling staff. Those practical responses mattered to children's immediate comfort.

Healthy snacks, reminders to drink water and handwashing before eating were also part of the February 2026 routines. Most children had affectionate relationships with practitioners. These everyday strengths sit alongside the serious dated judgements above; they do not establish that educational quality has changed.

The address is Puriton Village Hall, Riverton Road, Puriton, BRIDGWATER, TA7 8BP. Opening hours are 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday, during term time. School holidays are closed, so this attendance calendar matters for families organising childcare around work.

• Teaching matched to the child. February 2026 assessments did not translate into purposeful learning. During a visit, ask how staff now use children's starting points to plan activities and track progress.
• Readiness for the next stage. The February 2026 findings raised concerns about language, emotional development and early mathematics. Ask to see how those areas shape an ordinary day, rather than relying on group calendar activities.
• Term-time planning. School-holiday closures are part of the attendance pattern. Families needing year-round care must account for those breaks.

The term-time calendar may suit families seeking childcare around school terms. In February 2026, children used the garden for active play. The decisive consideration is the February 2026 educational assessment. Warm relationships and outdoor enjoyment are useful strengths, but families weighing this preschool should give substantial weight to the urgent curriculum, achievement and inclusion judgements.