Tiny Toes Pre-School

Wooden-block pathways and an outdoor rockery give Tiny Toes Pre-School a recognisable character: children collaborating, experimenting and following their curiosity. Those examples come from May 2023, when children helped one another build and searched for spiders outside. Practical play runs through that account.

At its 3 May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good, found safeguarding effective and judged support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) very effective. Tiny Toes has capacity for 20 children; the children attending in May 2023 were aged 2 to 4.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, care and development, with play providing opportunities to practise language, movement and relationships. In May 2023, staff planned activities around children's interests, including creating a rockery after children became curious about insects. That gave their questions a concrete place to lead.

Numbers appeared in everyday activities that month. Toddlers posted shapes while adults counted, and preschool children matched numbers on a snack menu to pieces of fruit. Physical play included a climbing frame, crates to walk along and large balls for balancing. These were hands-on experiences rather than isolated exercises.

Independence also had a practical form. After exploring flour and shells, children helped with the mess using brushes and dustpans. However, in May 2023 some preschool children relied on an adult staying beside them to continue an activity. Building confidence to sustain play independently was an improvement priority.

In May 2023, children formed close relationships with staff and friendships with one another. Visual timetables helped children with SEND understand the sequence of the day, while parents and outside professionals contributed to planning their next steps. Predictable routines gave children a clearer picture of what would happen next.

Family communication that month included learning updates and questionnaires seeking parents' feedback. Preparation for school included school clothes among the dressing-up resources, allowing children to explore an unfamiliar part of their next stage through play.

Language support needed attention in May 2023: during some group activities, adults moved on before preschool children had enough time to answer. Giving children room to formulate a response was therefore a practical improvement, alongside developing more independent play.

Tiny Toes Pre-School is at The Community Hall, Rydon Road, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, TQ12 3QG. In May 2023, it used the ground floor of Rydon Community Hall.

At that time, opening hours were Monday, 9am to 3.30pm, and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 8.30am to 3.30pm, during school terms. In May 2023, the setting also received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. These describe its inspection-time arrangements.

• Time to answer. In May 2023, preschool language support needed improvement. Ask how group activities now give children time to think and respond.
• Independent play. Some preschool children needed an adult alongside them to keep an activity going in May 2023. Discuss how staff help children sustain their own play.
• Attendance fit. The May 2023 timetable covered four named weekdays during school terms. What attendance pattern would suit your child now?

Tiny Toes suits families who value practical play, everyday independence and close communication about their child's development. Its May 2023 activities gave those priorities substance, from counting fruit to clearing up flour. The same account identified two clear areas needing attention: preschool language support and confidence to keep playing independently. Those are useful priorities for a family discussion.