The Oaks Preschool & Out of School Club

A garden used through the seasons and regular outings beyond the school grounds give The Oaks Preschool & Out of School Club its character. This independent preschool in Yate combines play-led learning with visits to the library, local shops and a care home. Its setting within school grounds adds outdoor possibilities, while its independence matters when families think ahead to Reception.

Children aged two to five attend, and the setting has 21 places in total. At its September 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, with strengths in children's independence and communication, alongside an improvement needed in the information gathered when children joined.

Term-time attendance makes the school calendar an important part of the childcare decision.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, play gives children opportunities to explore, communicate and practise doing things for themselves. Experiences follow children's interests and build on what they can already do. The practical emphasis is on curiosity and independence.

In September 2023, creative exploration included painting, stamping pens and coloured tiles used with a light box. Outdoors, children filled containers with soil and experimented by combining materials. These were opportunities to test ideas through handling and making, with coordination developing alongside discovery.

Conversation also shaped that inspection-era day. In September 2023, staff spoke at children's level and used questions to encourage discussion; older children explained their plans and worked through problems. Early signing accompanied interactions with younger children and those with more limited speech, adding another way to support understanding.

Outdoor and Community Life

The large garden is used daily through the seasons with suitable clothing. Access to the wider school grounds can also be arranged.

Regular nature walks, park and library outings, care-home visits and trips to shops or markets connect children's learning with everyday community life.

In September 2023, the garden included raised beds for growing flowers and a see-saw for active play. Children also explored puddles and took walks locally. Those details show how movement and contact with nature worked together at the time.

Relationships and Communication

Settling has a clear role in the joining process. Children starting in the September term can attend two optional paid introductory sessions involving food and activities, meeting their key person and taking part in a meeting about expectations. Families choosing against those sessions can use the settling process during their child's first week instead.

In September 2023, patient support helped new children join activities and explore independently, with relationships extending beyond their key person to the wider staff team.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the September 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and support for children with complex needs effective, including work with parents and outside professionals. In September 2023, home-learning resource packs also helped connect support at preschool with activities families could use at home.

In September 2023, children contributed by tidying toys and helping at breakfast. Older children served cereal and milk; younger children received patient assistance.

There was also a clear weakness to address. In September 2023, starting information did not consistently capture enough detail from parents, and staff did not contact settings children were leaving. Planning could therefore begin with an incomplete understanding of a child's needs. This is especially relevant when a child already has support arrangements elsewhere.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Tyndale Primary School, Tyndale Avenue, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5EX. The preschool remains independent despite being within the school grounds.

Opening hours are 8.45am to 2.45pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only. Fees cover 38 weeks of childcare, with payment spread across 11 months and due a month ahead. Missed attendance does not bring a refund, so the payment commitment continues when a child is absent.

Changes to childcare arrangements require a month's written notice; changes to funded hours require termly notice. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation. Families can use the nursery's contact route to make an enquiry.

Funding and Paid Extras

Eligible families can use 15 or 30 hours of funded entitlement in this term-time setting. Allocation gives priority to families using their whole entitlement here; those using only part must accept flexibility in the sessions offered. Eligibility codes and checks must remain current, otherwise sessions are charged privately.

Families provide a labelled, healthy packed lunch, while breakfast-bar food and drinks fall within the annual opt-in charging arrangement; families opting out must supply the items required for each attendance. The lunchbox policy excludes nuts and peanut butter, so allergy-affected families should discuss current practice as part of their visit.

Non-food items, including tissues and nappy sacks, also fall within that charging arrangement, with supplies from home required when families opt out. The nursery checks the required provisions and states that a child cannot attend if necessary items are missing.

The charge also covers termly enrichment such as gardening, cooking and trips, along with setting events including Mother’s Day and Pancake Day. The annual choice is expressly non-mandatory, but opting out brings practical responsibilities. The fees and charging terms explain the arrangement.

Moving on to School

In September 2023, visits to the neighbouring school helped children become familiar with a school environment. Attendance at this preschool does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Starting information. September 2023 highlighted incomplete information from parents and no liaison with children's previous settings. At a visit, ask how existing plans and information now reach the key person before a child starts.
• Term-time hours. The weekday opening window ends at 2.45pm and follows term time. Consider how that fits work commitments and school holidays.
• Opting out of charges. The annual charging choice affects breakfast provisions, consumables and enrichment. Review the required supply list and how event participation works before choosing, including current allergy arrangements where relevant.
• School-ground location. The preschool is independent and attendance does not secure Reception admission. Treat preschool childcare and the school application as separate decisions.

The Oaks suits families seeking term-time preschool with daily garden use, play-led experiences and regular connections with the local community. Its September 2023 Good judgement gives a dated quality reference, while the joining-information weakness deserves a specific conversation before enrolment.

The practical fit rests on a weekday finish at 2.45pm, packed lunches from home and an annual choice about additional charges.