Ogwell Pre School

In September 2024, craft flags, pretend birthday cakes and bus outings illustrated Ogwell Pre School's approach to learning through play and exploring the world beyond the hall. At its September 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective.

Based at Memorial Hall in Ogwell, Newton Abbot, the setting has capacity for 20 children. In September 2024, children attending were aged two to four. The strongest practical thread in that snapshot was participation: children helped with snack preparation, joined musical activities and practised conversation through stories.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the September 2024 activities illustrate learning through play, conversation and practical tasks.

In September 2024, pretend cake-making brought counting into imaginative play, while recreating national flags encouraged children to examine patterns and colours. Musical instruments gave children a practical way to explore volume and follow instructions. These were concrete experiences rather than abstract lessons.

Physical play included a climbing frame and slide, throwing balls towards a tent and pouring water between containers. Community outings took children to a farm, a zoo and play parks, with bus journeys offering further opportunities to discuss their surroundings. The activities connected movement, observation and conversation.

In September 2024, children sought reassurance from familiar staff. Speech activities combined movement with sounds: children jumped through hoops, practised words and listened to syllables marked by clapping. Stories also prompted conversations about transport and children's own experiences, giving them something familiar to contribute.

Preparing snack involved cleaning the table and arranging utensils. Children served fruit and helped others, making everyday routines opportunities to participate.

School preparation was tangible in September 2024. Teachers visited the pre-school, and children explored school uniforms through pretend play and looked at classroom photographs. This offered familiarity with the next stage. However, cooperation with parents over independent toileting needed greater consistency, and staff needed to extend children's interests into unfamiliar activities more effectively.

The address is Memorial Hall, Ogwell, Newton Abbot, TQ12 6AJ.

In September 2024, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 8.30am to 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, during term time. These are opening hours from that period, rather than named booking sessions.

In September 2024, the pre-school provided free early education funding for two-year-olds.

• Independence before school. September 2024 findings called for more consistent cooperation with parents over self-care, including toileting. Ask how home and pre-school now agree the next steps for your child.
• Broadening interests. In September 2024, staff sometimes missed opportunities to turn children's interests into new investigations. Ask for an example of how a familiar enthusiasm leads to a different activity.

Ogwell Pre School suits families who value practical participation, imaginative play and community experiences. Its September 2024 snapshot offers concrete examples: children making music, helping prepare snack and exploring places beyond the hall. The balance is clear. Alongside those experiences, greater independence and more adventurous investigation were the priorities for improvement. Families weighing the setting should give those two areas particular attention.