Ryandale Pre-School

In January 2025, an enrichment passport linked learning at home with experiences at preschool: public transport and beach visits were among the examples. This is the clearest thread in Ryandale's character: everyday experiences become material for learning, with parents taking an active part.

At its January 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Outstanding, found safeguarding effective and judged that children made strong, consistent progress. Ryandale Pre-School has 48 places in total and accepts children aged 24 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the January 2025 examples show how play and purposeful activities brought those elements together: children explored flowers, practised language and used practical tools.

During that month, younger children investigated petals and made marks, while older children examined flower structures and drew them. The shared subject allowed different levels of challenge. Staff had also adjusted learning plans to accommodate more younger children.

Language teaching was deliberate. In January 2025, staff selected vocabulary to practise speech sounds, and songs and stories threaded through routines. Numbers and letters appeared in different activities, giving children opportunities to use skills beyond a single exercise. Changes to circle-time activities followed staff training, while assessment prompted greater attention to mathematics.

The enrichment passport recorded experiences both at home and at preschool in January 2025. Parents contributed outings, including beach visits and journeys by public transport. Photographs of children's activities and creations also went into books and albums, giving them something concrete to revisit.

In January 2025, emotion cards and toys helped children identify feelings and talk about them. The outdoor play kitchen provided a practical setting for cooperation: two children negotiated turns with shared tools.

Independence had equally tangible examples that month. Children fastened coats and offered help to others; younger children practised cutting vegetables with suitable tools after a demonstration. These are useful foundations for managing everyday tasks as children move towards school.

In January 2025, the setting received extra funding to support children facing disadvantage and those with special educational needs or disabilities.

Ryandale is based at Barley Fields Primary School, on Lamb Lane in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 0QP. Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place.

The term-time calendar includes weekday opening hours of 8am to 5.30pm, with closure during school holidays. For historical context, session times in January 2025 ran from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Government-funded early education places were offered at that date.

• Term-time calendar. Ryandale closes during school holidays. Families needing care throughout the year will need to plan around those breaks.
• Home involvement. The January 2025 enrichment passport included experiences contributed by parents. Consider how that shared approach would fit your family's routines.
• A visit question. How do the current session choices, funded-hours arrangements and charges for meals and consumables fit together in a written quotation?

Ryandale suits families seeking term-time care who value practical learning and an active connection between preschool and home. The January 2025 examples give that recommendation substance: differentiated flower activities, support with emotions and opportunities to practise independence. The holiday calendar is the clearest practical consideration.