Little Learners Pre-School

In December 2024, books with textures, craft projects and a farm visit gave Little Learners Pre-School a practical character. This Stevenage setting has capacity for 26 children. At its December 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children made good progress through a curriculum built around practical experiences.

Children attending then were aged two to four. The strongest examples connected language with doing: choosing materials, wrapping objects and recognising animals previously explored through books and songs.

In December 2024, the early years foundation stage provided the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play giving children opportunities to practise skills and explore ideas. Staff followed children's interests and linked activities together rather than treating each experience separately.

Farm animals provided one clear example. Children explored farm animals through play, songs and books before visiting a farm, where they could connect their learning with the animals themselves. Story sessions also introduced descriptive vocabulary through textured pages, giving younger children something tangible to connect with new words.

Craft work involved choosing decorations for Christmas picture frames. Play in Santa's toy shop involved selecting and wrapping objects, then explaining what they had done. These examples gave children reasons to concentrate, make choices and talk.

Visits to a nearby playing field included watching school sports days. Sharing family celebrations and exploring festivals also brought children's community and the wider world into their activities.

In December 2024, staff learnt children's interests and preferred ways of playing to help them settle. Adults modelled considerate behaviour, helped children work through small disagreements and encouraged safe use of ride-on toys by leaving space for others.

Communication extended learning beyond the pre-school: staff lent families books and resources for use at home. Progress checks helped staff identify areas needing further attention, while additional funding supported children's learning.

In December 2024, two areas needed attention: teaching needed to build more consistently on children's spontaneous play, and everyday opportunities to explain healthy habits needed extending. These are useful points for families to explore alongside the practical activities.

Woodcock Road, Stevenage, SG2 9PG is the setting's address.

In December 2024, attendance was term-time only, Monday to Friday. Session times were 8.55am to 2.55pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 8.55am to 11.55am on Wednesday and Friday. The setting provided government-funded early years education for eligible children at that time.

• Attendance pattern. December 2024 arrangements combined longer sessions on three named weekdays with morning sessions on Wednesday and Friday. How does the current booking pattern fit your family's week?
• Teaching through play. The December 2024 improvement priorities concerned extending spontaneous learning and explaining healthy habits more consistently. Ask to see how these are now woven into activities.

Little Learners merits consideration for families drawn to practical play, language-rich stories and experiences beyond the setting. Its December 2024 arrangements suited both longer daytime attendance and morning sessions during term time. The Good judgement provides a positive inspection baseline, balanced by clear priorities for teaching and healthy-habit learning.