St Margaret's Preparatory School

In May 2023, independence grew through small responsibilities: choosing fruit, sorting lunch waste and deciding which story to hear. At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good and judged safeguarding effective.

Based at St Margaret's Centre, Kenwin Close, Swindon, this setting has capacity for 26 children aged 36 to 60 months. The account of daily life below reflects May 2023, when social confidence and practical independence shaped the children's experiences.

In May 2023, children practised mathematics through decisions and imaginative play. They counted votes for stories, matched numbered vehicles to parking spaces and handled money in a pretend shop. Numbers had a purpose beyond reciting a sequence.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the May 2023 activities connected conversation, movement and early mathematics through play: children negotiated roles in a pretend restaurant, danced to familiar songs and practised balancing.

Outdoor play included a slide and ride-on toys. Regular community outings supplied ideas for imaginative games afterwards; one bus trip followed children's suggestions about where they wanted to go. Indoors, manipulating dough, scissors and fasteners exercised the hands needed for early writing.

The May 2023 mathematics activities also allowed practitioners to adjust the challenge to individual children. Staff understood the mathematical stage of their key children and extended activities for those ready to move further, including exploring how joining single digits formed a new number. For parents, the useful distinction is between simply offering counting games and recognising when a child needs a different challenge.

Conversation received deliberate attention in May 2023. Practitioners invited children to explain recent experiences, express opinions and describe similarities, including a comparison between watermelons and cucumbers. These exchanges gave children reasons to put their ideas into words and listen to another view. The pretend restaurant and shop added a social purpose: children asked questions, passed on information and explained their preferences. Everyday play became practice in making themselves understood, rather than only naming objects or answering a question.

There was an educational weakness alongside that responsive play. In May 2023, staff sometimes followed children's interests without a sufficiently precise teaching intention. Sharper attention to the next learning step was the improvement required.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that staff responded sensitively to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), recognising subtle requests to participate and allowing quieter activity when needed.

During May 2023, pictures helped children express their emotions, while practitioners encouraged them to hear other children's views. Familiar routines included using photographs to mark attendance and indicate a toilet visit. These small tasks gave children an active part in managing their day.

Communication with families in May 2023 included emails and meetings each term, with ideas and resources shared for learning at home. Staff also used words and materials in children's home languages to support those learning English as an additional language.

Friendship involved practical teaching in May 2023. Staff helped children share play, wait for their turn and consider another child's opinion, while setting clear expectations for behaviour. They also acknowledged achievements and discussed children's successes. This gave the social and emotional emphasis a concrete form: children practised how to take part in a group, alongside having opportunities to make their own choices.

Staff development in May 2023 included regular supervision and continuing training, with course learning adapted to children's needs. One example was work on following simple instructions as preparation for school. That connects preparation with an everyday skill children can practise during play and routines. For families, it provides a specific example of how staff learning influenced children's experiences, rather than treating school preparation solely as early reading or number work.

The address is St Margaret's Centre, Kenwin Close, Swindon, SN3 4NY.

In May 2023, opening hours were 8.45am to 2.45pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 11.45am on Friday, during term time. Those hours describe the inspection-era arrangement.

• Teaching intentions. Sharper planning of children's next learning steps was the May 2023 improvement priority. During a visit, ask how practitioners now combine children's choices with a clear teaching purpose.
• Attendance pattern. The May 2023 timetable had a shorter Friday and operated during term time. What attendance patterns and opening hours apply to your proposed start date?

For families who value social confidence, imaginative play and everyday independence, the May 2023 picture has clear appeal. Children made choices, practised conversation and took responsibility for familiar routines. The balance between following their interests and planning what they should learn next deserves attention when assessing the setting today.