Christchurch Pre-School

Ice numerals, vegetable printing and a climbing frame give Christchurch Pre-School a practical, playful character. In October 2024, children explored numbers with wooden hammers and learned how to manage risks while climbing. These were hands-on opportunities to practise thinking and independence.

Christchurch Pre-School serves children aged two to five in Hanham, Bristol, with 26 places in total. At its 11 October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. The clearest improvement priority concerned helping children understand and manage difficult feelings.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its October 2024 examples included learning through number games, creative work and conversation.

In October 2024, children explored frozen numerals before matching frogs to numbers in small groups. Revisiting the ideas in different activities gave them another opportunity to remember number names. Vegetable printing brought art and investigation together, while singing and movement encouraged children to join words with rhythm.

The garden supplied another kind of practice. In October 2024, brushes, chalk and sponges supported making patterns on a wall, exercising the hands for writing. The climbing frame combined physical activity with learning to use equipment safely. Families also shared experiences that helped children explore differences and similarities within their community.

In October 2024, the key-person arrangements connected observation with support tailored to each child. Small-group language activities used objects that moved or lit up to draw attention and introduce vocabulary; staff also worked with outside agencies. New children developed familiar routines quickly, supported by warm relationships with adults.

Snack time offered choices including fruit, crackers, cheese and milk in October 2024. Children selected food and served themselves, giving them practical opportunities to develop independence.

Emotional support needed more consistency. In October 2024, children could express happiness and excitement, but sometimes struggled when tired or sad; adults did not consistently help them understand those feelings. This is a useful subject for a visit because comfort and emotional language matter alongside learning activities.

The address is Christ Church Pre School, Church Road, Hanham, Bristol, BS15 3AE. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time, with closure in school holidays. That calendar makes holiday cover a separate consideration for working families.

In October 2024, sessions ran from 8.30am to 3pm and government-funded places were offered. Those arrangements belong to that date.

• Support with difficult feelings. October 2024 findings identified inconsistent help when children were sad or tired. Ask how practitioners now recognise distress and help children put feelings into words.
• Term-time calendar. The setting closes in school holidays. Families needing care across the year should account for those breaks.

Christchurch Pre-School suits families seeking term-time care for children aged two to five. Its October 2024 strengths were concrete: playful number work, creative exploration and relationships that helped children settle. Emotional support is the point to weigh alongside those strengths, especially for a child who needs help coping with tiredness or frustration.