Baddeley Green Pre-School

In June 2024, story-inspired telescopes, water-play estimates and outdoor construction characterised learning at Baddeley Green Pre-School: children learned through things they could make, move and discuss. It has 36 places in total at Milton Parish Centre in Stoke-on-Trent.

At its June 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four; the main improvement required concerned the organisation of group learning.

In June 2024, learning followed children's interests while addressing skills they needed to develop. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, play linked conversation, physical skills, literacy and mathematics.

Craft activities connected with the story of the week. Making telescopes gave children reasons to discuss shapes and colours, remember the story and practise handling glue and decorations. Books also prompted participation, with children joining familiar passages during storytelling.

Mathematics extended into water play: children estimated how many bottles would fill a container and explored quantities through counting. Outdoors, bikes and scooters supported movement, while large construction bricks brought coordination and cooperation together. These June 2024 examples show how practical activities connected different areas of learning.

At the June 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children formed close relationships with staff and that children with SEND received effective support through coordination with families and other professionals, helping them make good progress.

In June 2024, practitioners modelled courtesy, helped children understand boundaries and redirected unwanted behaviour. Praise encouraged children to persist, while conversations during play and meals gave them opportunities to practise language and share experiences from home.

The staff team also discussed provision daily, with supervision and training supporting their work. This was a picture of adults collaborating around children's needs, rather than learning being confined to organised activities.

Milton Parish Centre, Baddeley Green Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, ST2 7EY is the setting's address.

In June 2024, attendance followed school terms, Monday to Friday. Morning sessions ran from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Monday and Friday; longer sessions ran from 9.30am to 3pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. That timetable combined shorter mornings with longer days on selected weekdays.

In June 2024, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Group learning. In June 2024, a large phonics group left some children distracted and others struggling to hear. Better organisation of group times was the required improvement, making this a useful area to explore during a visit.
• Attendance planning. The June 2024 timetable combined two morning-only days with three longer days during school terms. What attendance pattern would now fit your family's week?

Baddeley Green's June 2024 picture suits families seeking play-led learning with plenty of conversation, practical mathematics and outdoor movement. Its attendance pattern then served both shorter-morning and longer-day needs during term time. Group-session organisation is the point to weigh alongside the positive findings about relationships and support.