Butterfield Pre-School

Songs, signing and emotional understanding defined Butterfield Pre-School's day at its November 2022 inspection. At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good overall. Children used words and signs to communicate, while familiar adults helped those who were upset settle into play.

Butterfield has capacity for 47 children aged 24 to 60 months, at Junction Farm Primary School in Stockton On Tees. Its strongest inspection examples concern everyday interactions: counting through a song, extending imaginative play and helping children express their feelings.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing learning and everyday care together. In November 2022, activities were planned around individual children's next steps, with communication and emotional understanding prominent.

Five Little Ducks became a counting activity when a practitioner joined younger children playing with knitted ducks. Outdoors, older children invented a home and prepared pretend food for dinosaurs. These examples show how adults used children's interests to introduce language and extend their ideas.

In November 2022, indoor and outdoor spaces were well resourced for play. Children examined worms, compared their sizes and discussed their movement, connecting observation with caring for living creatures. Diwali celebrations introduced children to the wider world, and participation in local events connected the setting with its community.

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities as a strength. Managers secured resources and support, including help from partner agencies.

In November 2022, children had close relationships with their key person, and staff used their knowledge of each child to help them settle. Songs accompanied circle time and nappy changes; signing gave children another way to express needs and feelings. Emotional understanding was supported by staff training.

Home-cooked food and fruit snacks featured in November 2022, alongside children practising handwashing and using cutlery. Parents received progress updates, meetings, teaching ideas and resources for learning at home. Key people also accompanied children starting school nursery, providing a familiar adult during that change.

The address is Junction Farm Primary School, Butterfield Drive, Stockton On Tees, TS16 0EU. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with closures for bank holidays, two weeks at Christmas and the first week of the summer holidays.

In November 2022, the setting provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated description of its funding provision.

• Physical development. In November 2022, activities did not consistently have clear learning intentions for physical skills. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how these activities now build on each child's abilities.
• Holiday cover. Christmas and summer closures interrupt the year-round opening pattern. Families needing continuous childcare should plan around these breaks.
• Attendance and funding. How would the booking pattern and current funding terms fit your child's week?

Butterfield merits consideration for families who value communication, emotional understanding and support during transitions. The November 2022 examples give substance to that character, especially signing, play-based counting and key-person relationships. Its weekday opening window may suit families organising childcare around work, while the holiday closures need factoring into that choice.