Little Oaks Pre School Frimley

A hospital emergency desk and a den turned into a fire station give Little Oaks Pre School Frimley a concrete character: everyday people and their jobs become material for imaginative play. In July 2023, these activities connected children's interests with learning about the world around them.

At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children made good progress, including those with SEND and those learning English as an additional language. The setting has capacity for 36 children; children attending in July 2023 were aged two to four.

In July 2023, children's interest in superheroes developed into play about people who help others. Real telephones and laptops equipped the hospital emergency desk, while the fire station gave another setting for pretending. These were practical ways to extend an interest rather than leave it as an isolated activity.

Outdoor play also had a substantial place in the day in July 2023. The garden offered resources for physical activity, and learning continued outside. Children playing doctors and nurses checked pretend heartbeats and blood pressure, combining conversation with shared make-believe.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the July 2023 examples show what that meant in practice: learning through play, conversations during snacks and opportunities to manage small tasks independently. Children cleared up after eating and recognised their own names and photographs. Such routines gave them useful responsibilities as they prepared for school.

In July 2023, the key-person arrangement gave children a familiar adult to approach. Staff knew the children well, and consistent behavioural guidance helped them respond to instructions and play alongside others. Support was rooted in everyday relationships.

Communication with families in July 2023 included conversations about the day, photographs and progress updates. Staff also worked with parents on toilet training, linking practice at home with the pre-school's routines.

The July 2023 inspection identified a need for more consistent adult interaction during activities and routines to develop children's communication and social skills further. Staff recognised speech and social delays, but the organisation of some activities reduced opportunities for useful conversation. This is the key qualification to the positive judgement.

The address is Chobham Road, Frimley, GU16 8PG.

In July 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 9am to noon on Wednesday and Friday, during term time. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that date. These arrangements describe the inspection period.

• Conversation during routines. The July 2023 improvement point concerned consistency in developing language and social skills. On a visit, ask how staff now organise snacks and group activities to give children time to talk.
• Attendance pattern. July 2023 opening hours combined longer days with shorter Wednesday and Friday mornings. Ask which current booking pattern and funding terms would fit your family's week.

Little Oaks merits consideration for families drawn to imaginative play, outdoor activity and growing independence. Its July 2023 pattern suited families seeking term-time attendance across a mixture of longer days and mornings. The Good judgement provides a positive starting point, with consistency of adult conversation the specific issue to explore.