Eccles Pre-School

Older children helping younger ones use tools in the sand captures the cooperative character of Eccles Pre-School in July 2022. Play brought children together, with friendships and shared activities featuring in the day. At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good.

Based at Methodist Church Hall in Eccles, the pre-school has 21 places in total. Children attending in July 2022 were aged two to four; that age range describes the setting at that time.

In July 2022, children prepared for a wildlife expert’s visit through activities that developed their knowledge before meeting rodents and reptiles. They then answered questions and listened to the animal handler’s instructions. The encounter gave their learning a concrete purpose beyond the preparatory activities.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care. Here, the July 2022 examples included learning through play, conversation and practical experiences: children exchanged ideas, explored tools in the sand and joined discussions about animals.

Staff used questions that required children to consider their answers, rather than simply supply a quick response. However, a strategy encouraging children to take dummies out while speaking was applied inconsistently. Some younger children consequently spoke with less confidence and frequency. Consistency in individual support was an improvement priority.

At the July 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described coordinated support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities through a lead practitioner, parents and other professionals. These are dated findings about how care worked then.

In July 2022, an emotions board let children indicate how they felt, helping children understand and manage their feelings. Positive exchanges between parents and staff also helped children feel comfortable; some families joined the animal visit even when their children were not attending that afternoon.

Health education included tooth brushing and trying unfamiliar fruit in July 2022. Children served themselves snacks, but healthy-eating messages carried through less effectively to lunch: children often selected less healthy items from their lunchboxes first.

The address is Methodist Church Hall, Bull Lane, Eccles, Aylesford, Kent ME20 7HE.

In July 2022, opening hours were 9am to 3.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 9am to midday on Wednesday and Friday, during term time. These were opening windows rather than specified booking patterns. At that time, the pre-school received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Individual language support. In July 2022, the dummy-removal strategy was used inconsistently. For a child needing speech support, discuss how agreed approaches are maintained across practitioners.
• Lunchbox habits. Healthy choices at lunchtime were a July 2022 improvement priority. Families whose children stay for lunch can discuss how staff support those choices.
• Attendance planning. The July 2022 timetable combined longer opening days with mornings. What attendance pattern can the pre-school offer your family now?

Eccles Pre-School’s July 2022 picture suits families who value cooperative play, practical learning and contact between parents and staff. The animal visit and emotions board give that picture substance. Individual speech strategies and lunchtime choices deserve attention alongside those strengths. For families considering term-time care, the dated timetable provides a useful starting point for discussing attendance.