Little Bears Pre School

An outdoor learning shelter, a classroom for imaginative play and close links with Shebbear Community School give Little Bears Pre School a recognisable village character. There are 15 places in total, with sessional care for children from two until they start school. The school grounds are part of its appeal: children have outdoor space of their own as well as access to a shared playground.

At its May 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good overall, with effective safeguarding. That judgement came with two important qualifications: committee members needed a clearer understanding of their responsibilities, and staff needed to give children more opportunity to develop conversations. Both matter alongside the positive account of relationships and learning.

Morning, afternoon and all-day attendance patterns give families several ways to organise preschool care, with term dates matching Shebbear Community School.

Rooms and Ages

Little Bears Classroom brings together dressing-up materials, a home corner, books and puzzles, with opportunities for children to choose creative activities. The home corner, dressing-up materials and freely accessible creative activities give children different ways to follow an interest. Painting, drawing and sticking are accessible by choice; sand and water tables add opportunities to explore materials.

Outside, two enclosed areas offer different kinds of play. The outdoor learning shelter provides a covered space, alongside playhouses and opportunities to climb and slide. A hard-surfaced playground shared with Shebbear Community School accommodates bikes, trikes and ride-on toys. That combination matters for children who enjoy moving between quieter exploration and active play.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines are opportunities to practise communication, movement, independence and early mathematical ideas. Little Bears' May 2022 activities illustrate how those opportunities were used, rather than relying on a curriculum label alone.

In May 2022, children compared the lengths of worms they had shaped from play dough, bringing measurement into something they had made themselves. Staff also used changing musical beats for movement games, with children responding to speed and pauses. These are concrete examples of learning through participation: children handled materials, listened and acted on what they heard.

Baking and growing vegetables were also part of the May 2022 curriculum. On Saint David's Day, parents contributed Welsh language and Welsh-cake baking activities, connecting a celebration with families' knowledge. Daily outdoor opportunities featured in that period too. These examples give the strongest sense of the preschool's teaching at the time, while the classroom and outdoor facilities describe its practical setting.

At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that the key-person arrangement worked well, children settled readily, progress was good and preparation for starting school was effective. Staff knew the children they cared for, giving relationships a clear role in the account of daily life.

In May 2022, independence was practised through ordinary routines. Older children managed coats and wellies themselves, while younger children attempted the task before receiving help. Encouragement rewarded trying, rather than simply finishing. That is useful preparation for managing the small demands of a school day.

Communication with families in May 2022 included updates each day and newsletters each term. Staff exchanged information with other childcare settings, including progress checks for two-year-olds. Tracking children's learning helped identify gaps and organise support; this was a practical mechanism for responding to individual needs.

The governance concern needs equal weight. In May 2022, changes to committee membership and the nominated role had not been notified to Ofsted, preventing the required suitability checks; committee members had no contact with children, and Disclosure and Barring Service checks had been completed. The required action was to strengthen understanding of those responsibilities and notify significant changes. This is a dated finding, not a statement about today's committee.

Lunch is brought from home and eaten with friends; fruit, raisins, breadsticks and milk are included in the hourly fee, with drinking water accessible during sessions. This separates the family's responsibility for lunch from the snacks and drinks covered by the fee.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Shebbear Community School, Shebbear, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5SG. Preschool care begins at two and continues until children start school, with term dates aligned to Shebbear Community School.

The attendance options are an AM session from 9am to 11.45am, an AM session with lunch club from 9am to 12.30pm, a PM session from 12.30pm to 3.15pm, and a PM session with lunch club from 11.45am to 3.15pm. All-day attendance runs from 9am to 3.15pm. Lunch club extends a session across the lunch period; children bring their food with them.

There is also a Wednesday stay-and-play group for children aged zero to three, from 9.30am to 11.30am during term time. Parents and carers remain responsible for their children, with staff supporting shared activities. It serves a different purpose from preschool care: adults participate alongside their children.

Funding and Paid Extras

Little Bears accepts 15 hours early years funding from the term after a child turns three, and offers funding through the 2gether scheme subject to its eligibility conditions. Additional hours and attendance before entitlement can be paid for privately. Bills are issued monthly for hours attended, and advance payment can be arranged. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

Moving On

Little Bears describes close links with Shebbear Community School, including visits for stories and other activities and occasional visits in return. These contacts give children experience of the school before moving on. Attendance at the preschool does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Afternoon timing. The session price schedule starts the PM session at 12.30pm, while the weekly timetable gives 12.45pm on Tuesday and Thursday. The difference affects the timing of handover.
• Conversation for quieter children. In May 2022, closed questions and insufficient thinking time limited some conversations. During a visit, ask how staff now encourage longer responses and make room for children who take time to speak.
• Committee responsibilities. The May 2022 action concerned notification of committee changes and the checks that depend on it. Ask how those responsibilities are managed now, so the practical arrangements behind governance are clear.

Little Bears suits families seeking morning or afternoon preschool sessions, with lunch-club extensions and an all-day option. Its classroom choices, covered outdoor learning space and school contacts give it clear practical appeal. The May 2022 Good judgement supports a positive view of that period, while the conversation and committee findings deserve attention when choosing it today.