Tinkerbells at the Clock Tower

Vegetable growing, wildlife gardening and an outdoor obstacle course give Tinkerbells at the Clock Tower its clearest character in April 2022: a preschool day with plenty of practical activity. The setting has capacity for 26 children at Clock Tower Hall in Church Milton, Sittingbourne.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good on 27 April 2022. Children attending that visit were aged two to four; the activities and care described below belong to that period.

In April 2022, children balanced along beams, jumped from equipment and pedalled tricycles on the garden slopes. These were different ways to practise movement, rather than relying on one piece of outdoor equipment.

The wildlife garden brought smaller movements into the day. Children cut away old plants with scissors to make space for new bulbs, while conversations with staff explored the insects they uncovered. An allotment added a longer project: children tended vegetables and took their produce home. Trips to a local nature reserve extended that interest beyond the setting.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. In April 2022, play connected these elements: an interest in animals shaped group discussions, while imaginary dinosaur games developed into nest building with chalk standing in for eggs. Staff used children's existing knowledge to plan their next activities.

At the April 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, emotional support responsive and additional support organised through targeted plans and work with other professionals. The established key person system gave children a familiar adult to approach when upset.

In April 2022, staff and parents exchanged information to support learning at home, and a parent forum ran three times a year. This gave families a recurring opportunity to contribute ideas about the setting's development.

Two weaknesses mattered alongside those strengths. In April 2022, staff did not consistently extend vocabulary during free play, especially outdoors; children also needed more encouragement to put resources away and help keep indoor play safe. Singing and reading were part of the day, but opportunities for conversation were uneven.

The address is Clock Tower Hall, Adisham Green, Church Milton, Sittingbourne, ME10 2RQ. In April 2022, the preschool used a community hall and opened during term time on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 8.45am to 2.45pm.

At that time, it received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. These hours and funding arrangements describe the April 2022 operation.

• Language during play. In April 2022, outdoor supervision sometimes displaced conversation. During a visit, ask how practitioners now introduce vocabulary while children explore the garden.
• Children's responsibility. The April 2022 improvement priority included involving children more in tidying and safe use of resources. Look for how these habits are built into activity changes.
• Attendance fit. The April 2022 timetable ran over four term-time weekdays, excluding Tuesday. What attendance arrangements can the nursery offer your family now?

Tinkerbells suits families drawn to practical gardening, imaginative play and a preschool based in a community hall. Its April 2022 strengths included an allotment, wildlife gardening and familiar adults for emotional support. The dated Good judgement sits alongside clear priorities for richer conversation and greater responsibility during play; both deserve attention when choosing the setting.