Westover Little Stars Pre-School

A tree trunk for balancing, chalk boards for experimenting and story sacks for language: Westover Little Stars Pre-School’s May 2023 activities brought learning into ordinary play. The setting has capacity for 24 children and is based at Westover Green Community Primary School in Bridgwater.

At its 16 May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good and found that children progressed well, including those learning English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children attending then were aged two to four. Communication and language were a major emphasis, with one important improvement point: protecting children’s concentration when others interrupted their activities.

In May 2023, learning combined planned activities with opportunities arising from children’s interests. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care; here, its areas of learning took practical form through conversation, imaginative play, movement and experimentation.

The garden offered concrete things to investigate. Children compared sand when wet and dry, tried chalk with and without water, and painted broad strokes using water and large brushes. A playhouse became the setting for pretend play involving a worm. Balancing along a tree trunk gave children repeated opportunities to practise movement, with help for those who felt less confident.

Outings in May 2023 included woodland walks, library and café visits, and bus journeys to the theatre. Police officers introduced fingerprints, while cultural celebrations opened conversations about languages. These experiences gave children subjects to discuss beyond the pre-school’s daily routines.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective, describing staff who understood abuse indicators, reporting routes and risks including grooming. Close relationships also mattered: in May 2023, children turned to staff for help with frustration or difficult feelings, and adults responded sensitively.

Communication with families in May 2023 kept parents informed about learning and progress. Additional funding supported children from disadvantaged families through story sacks intended to develop language. This connected practical resources with the pre-school’s communication emphasis.

The address is Westover Green Community Primary School, Westover Green, Bridgwater, TA6 7HB.

In May 2023, opening hours were 8am to 5.30pm on weekdays, during term time. A parent committee managed the setting, and it received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. These are dated operating arrangements.

Being based at the primary school does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Time to finish an idea. In May 2023, interruptions sometimes left children frustrated and distracted. The improvement action called for closer monitoring so children could pursue their thinking. This matters for children who need sustained time with an activity.
• Term-time planning. The May 2023 opening pattern followed school terms. At a visit, what attendance arrangements and accepted ages now apply to your child?

Westover Little Stars suits families who value language development, practical exploration and experiences beyond the setting. Its May 2023 provision combined those ingredients with supportive relationships and a Good judgement. The balancing trunk, chalk experiments and community outings give that assessment substance; protecting uninterrupted play was the clear next step.