Phase Five Pre School, Abbotswood

Balance bikes, ice experiments and dressing up with materials give Phase Five Pre School, Abbotswood a recognisable character: practical play with room for children to make choices. Those examples belong to December 2022. The setting has capacity for 24 children at St Nicholas Family Centre in Yate.

At its December 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised children's progress and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Behaviour management was the improvement priority.

In December 2022, children combined activities guided by adults with play they chose themselves. They used pictures and handprints to mark their attendance, and selected materials to create outfits. That gave everyday routines and imaginative play a place alongside each other.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the December 2022 examples show learning through play. Staff used children's interests and information from parents to plan their next learning steps. Making play dough became a way to practise sharing and build relationships.

Outdoors that December, balance bikes gave children opportunities to develop coordination. Ice discovered in a tyre prompted an investigation: children handled it, while staff explained how warmth made it melt. The garden also gave children a reason to practise changing their shoes independently.

In December 2022, staff paired speech with signing and carried visual prompts to help children move between activities. A visual timer helped with taking turns. These were concrete ways to make routines easier to understand.

At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff recognised children with SEND and worked with families, professionals and the local authority, although some practitioners needed greater confidence in handling conflict and a more consistent response to behaviour.

Parents received learning updates and could meet their child's key person to discuss progress in December 2022. Information flowed both ways: families shared children's interests from home. Staff encouraged handwashing and independence around lunch boxes and drinks bottles, and discussed healthy choices during meals.

The management arrangements that December included daily planning discussions, individual supervision, training and colleagues observing each other's practice. These gave staff regular opportunities to exchange ideas and develop their work.

The address is St Nicholas Family Centre, Chargrove, Yate, Bristol BS37 4LG.

In December 2022, opening hours were 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays during term time. At that point, the preschool received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. Children attending at the inspection were aged two to three; that was the age range on that visit.

• Behaviour support. Greater consistency in managing behaviour was the December 2022 improvement priority. Ask how staff now handle disagreements and help children understand expectations.
• Term-time rhythm. The December 2022 opening pattern followed term time. Does today's attendance arrangement fit your family's working week and holiday needs?

Phase Five's December 2022 picture suits families who value practical play, growing independence and regular conversations about their child's learning. Its term-time opening pattern would suit a family seeking care around that calendar. The behaviour-management recommendation gives parents a concrete point to explore alongside those strengths.