Kanes Hill Pre-School

Polish-language stories, puppet-led fairy tales and outdoor play in changing weather give Kanes Hill Pre-School a recognisable character in its March 2023 account. The setting is in Thornhill, Southampton, and has 26 places in total.

The pre-school's overall judgement on 9 March 2023 was Good. Children attending at that time were aged two to four; the account combines enthusiasm for play with two clear priorities: greater independence at lunch and more help to connect new activities with existing knowledge.

In March 2023, children explored the early years foundation stage, the framework for learning, development and care, through stories, creative work and physical play. Puppets and props supported their retelling of The Three Little Pigs, while younger children squeezed and rolled dough, exercising the hand muscles used for making marks.

Outside, that March, children played in different weather conditions, scooping sand and pursuing wind-blown bubbles. Putting on coats and boots gave them opportunities to practise doing things for themselves. Indoors, children played imaginatively with friends, preparing pretend meals and caring for toy babies.

Creative activities included experimenting with water and pens on paper towel. The March 2023 improvement priorities matter here: staff needed to take children's ideas further, helping them draw on earlier learning rather than stopping at the finished picture.

At the March 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that children with additional needs, including SEND, made good progress, supported by work with outside professionals and local agencies.

In March 2023, staff used both Polish and English to help children develop language and understanding. Children also explored feelings through colour associations, giving them a way to describe being happy, sad or calm. Familiar adults provided comfort when children needed reassurance.

The Healthy Early Years Award, undertaken with the local authority in March 2023, supported teaching about food, dental health and being active; staff also shared healthy-living guidance with parents. Lunchtime offered social contact and practice in handwashing, although older children needed more opportunities to manage tasks independently before moving on to school.

The address is Hinkler Road, Thornhill, Southampton, SO19 6FW. In March 2023, the pre-school occupied separate, self-contained premises on the Kanes Hill Primary School site. Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place.

Opening hours in March 2023 were 8.45am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, in school term time. At that date, the setting received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. These are dated operating arrangements.

• Independence at lunch. The March 2023 improvement priority was more opportunity for older children to manage everyday tasks themselves. This matters for families approaching the move to school.
• Extending children's ideas. In March 2023, activities did not consistently help children connect what they were doing with what they already knew. That is the main qualification to the engaging play examples.
• Attendance planning. The March 2023 opening window followed the school-term calendar. What attendance patterns and funded arrangements would suit your child now?

Kanes Hill merits consideration for families who value imaginative play, support for Polish alongside English and practical healthy-living activities. Its March 2023 account gives those preferences concrete substance. Families preparing an older child for school should weigh the lunchtime independence priority alongside the positive inspection judgement.