St Andrews with St Peters Preschool

Play dough, pretend baking and conversations over food give St Andrews with St Peters Preschool a recognisable character in its December 2022 account. This Stoke-on-Trent setting has 18 places in total; those attending in December 2022 were aged two to four.

At its December 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good progress for children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The detail matters: warm relationships and growing independence sat alongside specific weaknesses in mathematical teaching and opportunities for children to explore for themselves.

In December 2022, children's interests shaped the curriculum within the early years foundation stage, the framework for learning, development and care. In practice, play brought together language, movement and early writing: children discussed favourite stories and drew pictures; older children learnt to recognise and write letters in their names.

Dough disco sessions in December 2022 involved moving and squeezing play dough to music, exercising the hand muscles used for writing. A role-play kitchen supplied pretend baking equipment, including scales and a food mixer. These gave children something concrete to talk about, although staff sometimes missed chances to develop ideas about quantity and measurement.

Daily outdoor access in December 2022 included wheeled toys and ball play. Watching ice melt added an opportunity to investigate changes in the environment. In December 2022, staff sometimes gave children too little time for independent exploration of planned activities.

In December 2022, children built close relationships with their key person and other staff. Encouragement supported their confidence, while familiar routines helped them settle. Everyday independence included dealing with coats and washing hands before food.

At the same date, communication screening helped identify children needing additional support. Staff and children ate together and talked, with adults allowing thinking time before answers. Parents received updates about learning and care during sessions.

Transition arrangements in December 2022 included visits from local school teachers and sharing information about children's development. This connected their preschool experience with the next stage of learning.

The address is 375 Weston Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 6HB.

In December 2022, attendance was organised around term-time sessions running from 8.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday. Funded early education then covered children aged two, three and four. That dated pattern is useful context for families considering a preschool day aligned with school terms.

• Mathematics through play. In December 2022, staff sometimes overlooked opportunities to develop children's understanding of measurement and number. Look for how adults now extend pretend baking and similar activities.
• Time to explore. The December 2022 improvement priorities included giving children longer to investigate activities independently. A visit can show how adult direction and children's own choices fit together.
• Committee oversight. In December 2022, changes to committee membership had not been notified to Ofsted. The members had undergone suitability checks and did not work directly with children; the lapse did not affect provision quality.

The December 2022 picture suits families who value sociable play, close adult relationships and practical preparation for greater independence. Its term-time attendance pattern would suit a school-term routine. The strongest decision point is how today's teaching handles the two identified priorities: mathematical conversations and time for self-directed exploration.