Newton Solney Pre School

Craft tools, tricycles and children taking charge of everyday tasks give Newton Solney Pre School its character in the June 2024 picture. There are 20 places in total. At its 4 June 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective.

Children attending in June 2024 were aged two to four. The setting combined practical play with growing independence, although participation in group activities and staff development needed attention.

In June 2024, children practised handling scissors and tape dispensers safely, then displayed their creations on individual wall clipboards. Outdoors, tricycles, balancing and jumping gave them opportunities to judge movement and develop coordination. These were practical experiences with a purpose.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care: here, the June 2024 examples included counting during play, talking about stories and making marks. Children compared sizes and counted tower bricks, connecting mathematical ideas to objects they could handle.

Action rhymes encouraged listening and conversation. Pencils, chalk and crayons supported early writing, while older children added their names to cards. Story discussions invited predictions about what would happen next. However, quieter children sometimes missed the chance to participate fully in shared activities.

In June 2024, staff collected information about children's interests and home lives when they first started, giving planning a personal starting point. Children practised dressing, pouring drinks and cleaning their snack tableware. Helping with one shoe before encouraging a child to try the other made independence achievable in small steps.

Dentist role play introduced toothbrushing and oral health, with toy teeth and toothpaste also giving little hands useful practice. Staff shared information about children's development with families. Staff supervision took place, but its attention to each practitioner's development needs needed sharpening.

The address is Newton Solney C of E Infant School, Trent Lane, Newton Solney, Burton-on-Trent, DE15 0SF. In June 2024, the pre-school operated within school grounds. Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place.

The June 2024 attendance pattern was term-time only: morning sessions ran from 9am to midday on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with longer days from 9am to 3pm on Tuesday and Thursday. At that time, funded early education was provided for three- and four-year-olds.

• Quieter children. Group participation needed improvement in June 2024. During a visit, ask how staff now draw less-confident children into story discussions and other shared learning.
• Staff development. June 2024 supervision needed a clearer emphasis on individual skills. Ask how this now translates into changes in everyday practice.
• Attendance and costs. The June 2024 timetable mixed mornings with longer term-time days. Ask for the current booking pattern and a written quotation covering funded hours, meals and consumables.

The June 2024 model suits families considering morning sessions or longer term-time days. Practical creativity and independence gave the day substance. The two improvement priorities matter: children need both an invitation to participate and staff whose development is carefully directed.