Mangotsfield Pre-School

Paper caterpillars, water channels and a wild garden give Mangotsfield Pre-School's July 2022 account its character: children explored change through practical experiments and outdoor play. At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Outstanding, finding an ambitious curriculum and excellent progress, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Mangotsfield Pre-School has 54 places in total. Its address is Emersons Green Primary School on Guest Avenue, in Emersons Green, Bristol, BS16 7GA; the children attending in July 2022 were aged two to five.

In July 2022, learning was adapted to children's development. A paper-caterpillar activity introduced younger children to the effect of water on paper, while older children explored how its molecules expand. The same activity offered different levels of challenge.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, its July 2022 delivery included conversation, stories, counting and practical exploration: children used mathematical language during play, while staff introduced vocabulary and asked questions that extended their thinking.

Outdoor learning connected exploration with living things. In July 2022, children searched for insects in the wild garden, watched newts at the pond and observed foxes on a neighbouring field. Growing fruit connected food with its origins. A bank provided climbing opportunities, and trees offered shade.

Water play also brought different ages together. In July 2022, older children built channels with guttering and helped younger children participate using scoops. Questions about making water move faster or further gave the activity a problem-solving purpose.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, with staff training, procedures for reporting concerns, risk assessments and recruitment checks supporting those arrangements.

In July 2022, children had close relationships with their key person, and staff helped them recognise and express emotions. The SENCo worked with parents, outside agencies and the next setting's SENCo, sharing strategies and targets so support could continue through the move.

Communication extended learning beyond the setting. In July 2022, staff discussed children's learning and next steps with parents and supplied learning packs for use at home. Staff also received ongoing wellbeing support and encouragement to develop their practice.

In July 2022, opening hours were 9.15am to 2.45pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The setting received government early years funding for children aged two, three and four. These describe the arrangements at that date.

The pre-school occupied the grounds of Emersons Green Primary School in July 2022. Attending a nursery on school grounds does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Attendance and costs. How do today's opening hours and funded-hour arrangements compare with the July 2022 term-time model?
• Outdoor learning. The July 2022 activities included a pond, fruit growing and climbing a bank. Families can weigh how well this practical outdoor emphasis matches their child's interests.
• Reception applications. The school-site address does not confer a guaranteed school place. Treat the Reception application as a separate decision.

For families drawn to practical exploration, outdoor learning and communication between home and pre-school, the July 2022 account provides concrete reasons to consider Mangotsfield. Its strongest examples combine challenge with participation: children approached the same experiment at different levels and helped one another join in. The term-time daytime arrangements described then suited families seeking care organised around school terms.