Oakengates United Church Pre-school

Cookery books, fruit preparation and a low-level balance beam give Oakengates United Church Pre-school a practical character: everyday tasks became opportunities to talk, make choices and practise coordination in March 2023. The setting has 11 places in total.

At its March 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and identified good progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children attending then were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, connecting play with communication, physical skills and growing independence. In March 2023, children chose their play materials, while staff used observations of their interests and development to decide what to teach next.

Books supported conversation rather than simply listening. In March 2023, children discussed pictures, voiced opinions and used cookery books to talk about food preferences. Cutting and serving fruit and vegetables offered practice in hand control; younger children tackled a low-level balance beam. Older children's opportunities to develop strength and larger movements needed more challenge.

In March 2023, the special educational needs coordinator worked with families, health visitors and speech and language therapists. Individual teaching helped children work towards developmental milestones. This gave additional support a concrete structure, with outside expertise connected to work within the setting.

Daily conversations kept parents and grandparents informed about children's days in March 2023. Families of children with SEND received detailed information about support plans, but some other parents needed clearer explanations of learning targets and how to continue learning at home.

Health and independence also featured in March 2023: children helped themselves to drinking water and practised handwashing around toileting and meals. Staff supervised toilet use while allowing privacy and space for children to manage personal care.

The address is Oakengates United Church, Stafford Road, Oakengates, Telford, TF2 6JH.

In March 2023, attendance followed a term-time weekday pattern, with sessions running from 8.30am to 2pm except on Wednesdays, when they ended at 1pm. That earlier Wednesday finish mattered for families arranging work or collection. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Learning at home. In March 2023, some families needed fuller explanations of their children's learning. At a visit, ask how learning targets now reach parents and translate into activities at home.
• Challenge for older children. The March 2023 learning environment needed more demanding physical experiences for older children. Ask to see how activities now build their strength and coordination.
• Term-time planning. The March 2023 routine included an earlier Wednesday finish. How do today's session choices and holiday arrangements fit your family's week?

The March 2023 picture suits families seeking term-time, sessional preschool care with practical play and opportunities for independence. Conversations around books and targeted additional support were strengths of that picture. Communication about learning and physical challenge for older children deserve equal attention when choosing.