Milstead Pre-School

Storytelling, simple science and walks to see cows gave Milstead Pre-School a recognisable village character in June 2023. Based at Milstead Village Hall near Sittingbourne, it has capacity for 20 children. Small-scale provision is the practical attraction; that capacity is a whole-setting figure, not a daily group size.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 22 June 2023. Children attending then were aged two to four, and the strongest examples combined hands-on exploration with opportunities to make choices and practise independence.

In June 2023, children acted out The Three Little Pigs, anticipating events and putting the story in order. They also selected instruments and chose songs. These activities gave children different ways to participate: through words, movement and decisions about their play.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care, with play here bringing language, physical activity and exploration together. In June 2023, floating and sinking experiments introduced vocabulary such as pipet and test tube. Treasure maps made with paint and teabags then became resources for a hunt.

Outdoor experiences extended beyond the hall. In June 2023, children explored the cricket ground, walked through fields to see cows and examined tree bark for insects. These outdoor spaces gave children opportunities to move and observe closely.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described SEND support involving the SENCo, parents and other professionals, alongside sign language to support inclusion.

In June 2023, everyday routines also offered opportunities for independence: children helped clear up after meals and put on high-visibility vests before outdoor play. A timer organised turns in the sensory tent, making the changeover concrete rather than leaving children to negotiate it unaided.

Communication connected nursery and home. In June 2023, staff shared children's activities and progress with parents, maintained links with other settings children attended, and worked with local teachers on the move to school. Staff supervision, meetings and training supported the team's work.

The address is Milstead Village Hall, Rawling Street, Milstead, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 0RX.

In June 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time. This was a weekday, term-time operating pattern, so the distinction between nursery attendance and school-holiday childcare matters for family planning.

• Younger children's participation. In June 2023, some activities were insufficiently adapted for the youngest children, leaving them less involved than older children. On a visit, ask how shared activities now accommodate different stages of development.
• Challenge for confident learners. Some adult-led tasks in June 2023 did not stretch the most able children's thinking enough. Ask how staff extend an activity once a child has grasped it.
• Term-time planning. The June 2023 opening pattern followed school terms. What attendance options and holiday arrangements would fit your family's routine now?

Milstead suits families drawn to a village-hall setting and the combination of stories, practical experiments and outdoor exploration seen in June 2023. Its Good judgement provides a positive inspection baseline, balanced by specific improvements needed in participation and challenge. The key decision is how well today's activities accommodate both younger children and those ready for more demanding thinking.