Learning Tree Pre-School, Swindon

A quieter intervention room gives Learning Tree’s inspection-era picture its clearest character: support could move away from the main activity into smaller groups. Based at The Old Library in Swindon, the pre-school has 35 places in total.

At its June 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good overall. Children attending then were aged two to four; that age range describes the inspection period.

The early years foundation stage sets out requirements for children’s learning, development and care, bringing these parts of the day together rather than treating education separately from care.

In June 2022, songs, rhymes and storytelling gave children opportunities to practise speaking and listening. Planned activities addressed individual learning needs, with assessments helping staff decide what to work on next. The weaker point was child-chosen play: younger children sometimes lost interest because staff support was less effective during those activities.

Outdoor activity had a substantial place in the June 2022 day. Children practised jumping, running and balance, while creative work involved cutting with scissors and coordinating hands and eyes. These offered different kinds of physical practice, from whole-body movement to more precise control.

Independence also featured in June 2022. Children selected snacks, helped themselves and poured their drinks. Rules were discussed in groups, and children practised taking turns, sharing and supporting one another on outdoor equipment.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised support for children with special educational needs or disabilities and those receiving additional funding, including small-group work in a quieter intervention room.

In June 2022, key persons and parents agreed children’s next learning steps together. Staff discussed family life to make activities relevant and shared guidance for learning at home. Children had close relationships with staff and could seek help confidently.

Professional links also mattered in June 2022: speech and language therapists and local authority specialist teams worked with staff to support families. However, children learning English as an additional language needed more opportunities to use their home languages. That concern sat alongside the otherwise positive account of communication activities.

The address is The Old Library, the Circle, Swindon, SN2 1QZ.

In June 2022, opening hours were 8.45am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. At that point, the pre-school received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. These are dated operating details, rather than a description of today’s attendance arrangements.

• Younger children’s chosen play. In June 2022, younger children needed more help to remain involved when choosing their own activities. A visit is an opportunity to ask how practitioners support this part of the day now.
• Home languages. The June 2022 improvement priorities included helping children use their home languages more often. Families raising children with more than one language should discuss how this works in everyday play.
• Attendance planning. The June 2022 timetable was term-time only. Does the current attendance pattern fit your working week and school-holiday needs?

Learning Tree’s June 2022 picture suits families who value small-group support, practical independence and communication between parents and key persons. The quieter intervention room gives that judgement substance. The balance is clear: younger children’s engagement during chosen play and opportunities to use home languages both needed attention.