Shipton Bellinger Preschool

Military family life gives Shipton Bellinger Preschool a clear character. Children whose families face postings and moves are part of its everyday community, while music, outdoor play and close contact with parents shape the educational offer. This is a parent-led charitable preschool, with a committee drawn from families and the wider community. Parents can contribute to how it runs as well as to fundraising.

At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good and judged safeguarding effective. It has 26 places in total, at 3 Parkhouse Road in Shipton Bellinger, Tidworth. Children can start from their second birthday; the age-group structure distinguishes Toddlers from Pre School, for children aged three and above.

The practical offer is term-time attendance, with morning, afternoon and full-day sessions. Its strongest points for families are more specific than the timetable: named movement programmes that prepare children for writing, a key-person buddy arrangement, and opportunities for parents to share learning from home.

Rooms and Ages

Toddlers, for ages two to three, emphasises growing independence through choosing activities, washing hands and helping serve snacks, with direct access to a secure outdoor area. Those ordinary tasks give younger children repeated opportunities to do things for themselves. Toilet learning is supported according to the child's readiness.

Pre School, for ages three and above, combines learning shaped by children's interests with group conversation and indoor and outdoor play, while accessible refreshments and toilets support self-care. Conversations give children opportunities to contribute their own experiences. Preparation for school includes these everyday habits of independence, alongside learning new skills.

Across the preschool, children can move between outdoor play and quieter spaces. That gives the day different gears: active exploration does not have to be the only option, and a child who needs a calmer moment has somewhere to turn.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the standards for children's learning, care and development; here, learning through play combines conversation, movement, stories and practical self-care. It is the shared early-years foundation. The additions are easier to recognise: Dough Discos, Squiggle While You Wiggle and Write Dance use movement to develop muscles involved in writing. Their value is the connection between physical activity and preparation for handling writing tools, rather than an early emphasis on sitting down to write.

Musical instruments are accessible in different parts of the setting, so children can investigate sounds as well as join organised singing. The flexible daily routine brings together group stories, movement to music and games, with longer stretches for indoor and outdoor play, language groups and activities led by adults. Children have space to choose; adults also introduce experiences.

In June 2023, outdoor resources included a climbing frame, wooden planks laid between tyres, water play and materials for constructing children's own creations. These supplied different kinds of physical challenge, from balance to coordination. The improvement point concerned how staff positioned themselves and developed children's interests outdoors, rather than whether outdoor play happened.

Relationships and Communication

Each child has a key person responsible for settling, development and communication with the family. A buddy takes over that work when the key person is away. This matters because the relationship is designed to continue through absences, rather than depend entirely on one adult being present.

Settling sessions are tailored to the child and family. Parents can stay briefly at the start, and can telephone for an update during the day. Quiet spaces can accommodate a nap when a child needs one, with sleep routines discussed as part of settling. Rest is treated as an individual need within a preschool day.

Tapestry, the online learning journal, shares children's development and memorable moments with families. Parents can add observations from home, and the journal can be downloaded when the child leaves. Monthly home-learning challenges offer another connection between preschool and family life. The point is a fuller picture of the child, including experiences that staff would otherwise miss.

Stay-and-play sessions take place every half term, giving parents time alongside their children and opportunities to talk with staff. The parent-led committee offers a separate route into the life of the preschool: families and local community members help govern it, and volunteers support fundraising. Involvement can mean contributing ideas and planning, as well as taking part in events.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children made good progress, including those with SEND and those learning English as an additional language. Current support arrangements include a SEND team, small-group work and collaboration with outside agencies when needed; children learning English can receive individual guidance or small-group support. These are practical mechanisms for adapting provision, rather than a promise that every child's needs will be identical.

Military families are an explicit part of the preschool's community. In June 2023, a wall map connected family photographs with countries involved in moves, while dolls had military clothing for role play. Those resources brought changes in family life into children's conversations and play. During the same period, the colour monster emotions board used colours to help children communicate feelings.

Families provide packed lunches, and staff share the lunch table with children; the preschool has a no-nut policy. For funded children, a separate consumables charge contributes to snacks, science activities and cooking.

Sessions and Attendance

The preschool follows Hampshire's term calendar and closes for five staff-training days each year. Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoon sessions run from 11.30am to 2.30pm. A full day runs from 8.30am to 2.30pm, with an additional hour from 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Monday to Thursday. The afternoon pattern includes the lunch period, so a packed lunch is part of that arrangement.

This gives families a choice between a shorter block and a day spanning morning and afternoon. The extra hour is a separate extension to the core timetable. Holiday cover needs separate planning because the preschool operates during term time.

Enquiries can be made through the contact form or by telephone on 01980 847204. Once a place is offered, families must accept it within one week. The registration form must be completed before attendance begins. Reducing booked hours or leaving requires at least one month's notice. Families leaving must complete the Notification of Leaving Date form; insufficient notice leaves a further month's fees payable.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is accepted from the child's second birthday. The entitlements include Early Learning for 2-Year-Olds Funding, Universal Early Years Education Funding for three- and four-year-olds, and Extended Early Years Education Funding for eligible working families. Universal funding covers 15 hours; the extended entitlement adds 15 hours, making 30 in total. The preschool also accepts working-parent funding from age two. Funding eligibility and the child's starting age are separate matters.

Private childcare is charged by the hour. Current prices come in the preschool's written quotation, and an administration charge covers setting up attendance, settling sessions and reserving the agreed sessions. The fees and funding page explains the charge structure.

Packed lunches come from home, while funded attendance carries the separate snack-related consumables charge described above. Parents also supply nappies and wipes when needed, and sun cream for staff to apply; if the preschool has to buy replacement sun cream, it charges for it. These arrangements make the cost and preparation of attendance broader than booked childcare hours alone.

Moving on to School

The preschool describes a close relationship with Shipton Bellinger Primary School to support children's preparation for school. In June 2023, it occupied the school's grounds. Work with a child's next school is part of transition support, but attendance does not guarantee a Reception place: families still use the local authority admissions process.

• Outdoor teaching. The June 2023 improvement action concerned staff developing children's interests more effectively, especially outside. On a visit, ask how staff now extend a child's chosen outdoor activity.
• Term-time timetable. Morning and afternoon sessions offer shorter attendance, while the additional hour ends at 3.30pm on Monday to Thursday. Match the pattern to work commitments and school-holiday arrangements.
• Allergies and lunchboxes. Lunch comes from home and a no-nut policy applies, but the preschool's terms acknowledge that cross-contamination cannot be ruled out. Families affected by allergies should confirm current practice and the child's individual risk assessment.
• Parent participation. A family-led committee and voluntary fundraising help sustain the preschool. Consider whether contributing ideas, time or committee involvement would suit your family.

Shipton Bellinger Preschool suits families seeking morning or afternoon sessions as well as a full preschool day during term time. Movement programmes, shared learning through Tapestry and half-termly stay-and-play sessions give the offer substance. Its recognition of military family life adds a clear local purpose. The June 2023 outdoor-teaching improvement point deserves attention, while packed lunches, parent-supplied care items and separate funded-place charges are practical parts of the decision.