Fulford Pre-School

In June 2024, space for babies to practise crawling and lively storytelling for older children gave Fulford Pre-School a recognisable early-years character. Based at Village Hall in Fulford, it has capacity for 45 children. At its June 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective.

The children attending in June 2024 ranged from 0 to 10 years old. That is a dated picture of attendance, rather than a current admissions age range. The strongest practical detail from that visit is the attention paid to individual care routines; the clearest reservations concern snack balance and the challenge offered during play.

The early years foundation stage brings learning, development and care together: children build skills through play and everyday experiences. In June 2024, activities combined choices made by children with experiences directed by adults, building on skills children had already acquired.

Babies had floor space for reaching, rolling and crawling, alongside time on their tummies to develop strength. Older children experimented with paint and mark-making tools, including attempts at letters in their names. These were different activities for different stages of development, rather than one shared task.

Songs and stories received expressive delivery in June 2024. Babies responded with smiles and laughter, while older children joined familiar actions and supplied remembered words. Dressing-up also became a chance to practise managing clothing. However, some activities were too easy for some children, limiting opportunities to extend their thinking.

In June 2024, staff responded quickly when children became upset and adapted care to individual routines, including recognising when nappies needed changing. Babies received bottles according to their needs, and older children could get water themselves. Staff also helped children work through disagreements, making everyday disputes opportunities to practise considerate behaviour.

At the June 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff used observations and information from parents to identify developmental gaps, worked with families and other professionals when concerns arose, and helped children make good progress. This gives a concrete picture of how support worked at that time.

Daily activities and development were discussed with parents in June 2024, and accidents were documented and communicated. Children brought packed lunches from home; staff supplied breakfast and snacks, but the snacks needed a better nutritional balance.

The address is Village Hall, Fulford Road, Fulford, STOKE-ON-TRENT, ST11 9QT.

In June 2024, term-time opening hours were 7.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. During school holidays and half terms, opening was Tuesday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm, with closures of one week at Christmas and two weeks during summer holidays. These hours describe the arrangements at that visit.

Funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children formed part of the offer in June 2024. That dated provision should be kept separate from a family's current funding arrangements.

• Snack balance. In June 2024, snacks did not provide a sufficiently balanced mix. Families evaluating the food provision should look for how this improvement has been addressed.
• Challenge during play. Some children completed activities too easily in June 2024. More demanding next steps matter for children who quickly master a task.
• Attendance arrangements. The June 2024 timetable differed between term time and holidays. What current booking pattern would cover your family's week?

Fulford Pre-School merits consideration from families looking for the responsive care, storytelling, creative play and support for independence described in June 2024. The June 2024 picture combines responsive personal care with two clear improvement priorities: better-balanced snacks and activities that stretch children further. Those priorities deserve weight alongside the Good judgement.