Scallywags Pre-School

Village life gives Scallywags its character: a garden at Halwill Primary School, woodland walks and play that connects children with their surroundings. Its purpose-built premises are attached to the Parish Hall in Halwill Junction, and it accepts children from their second birthday, with an age range of two to five. There are 28 places in total.

At its March 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated Scallywags Good, found safeguarding effective and identified strong progress in communication and language. The practical detail behind that judgement matters: children used story objects to explain their thinking, practised counting through pancake games and learned ways to calm themselves. One improvement remained: clearer explanations of what happens between activities.

Attendance is term-time, with morning, afternoon and full-day patterns alongside a morning session that includes lunch.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage sets out learning, development and care, with children learning through play and games. At Scallywags, sensory play, gardening and healthy choices give that broad framework concrete subjects for exploration.

In March 2025, story props helped children connect objects with familiar tales. A toy bridge prompted discussion of Three Billy Goats Gruff, and children explained their choices to the group. The useful element was the conversation: they had to recall a story, make a connection and express an idea, rather than simply recognise an object.

Small adult-led activities also gave children time to concentrate on a specific task. In March 2025, What's in the Box? involved identifying toy animals and their sounds, followed by a related story. Younger children practised counting with songs, while older children used numbered paper pancakes and a toy pan to explore number order. Making pretend pancakes involved patting and rolling dough to exercise hands and fingers.

Outdoor and Community Life

Outdoor play areas, a play park and woodland walks broaden the setting beyond its indoor space. Scallywags also has a garden within Halwill Primary School's grounds, where children plant vegetables and flowers. Gardening gives them something real to tend and a reason to return to the same place over time.

In March 2025, children could choose outdoor play each day, with an obstacle course and visits to a nearby park providing opportunities to practise coordination and balance. Physical activities included carrying sand-filled buckets and using specially shaped exercise balls. The emphasis was on doing: moving, lifting and finding ways to control their bodies.

Community experiences brought the village into children's learning. In March 2025, outings included buying food at the local shop and attending community events; visiting farmers brought tractors and newborn lambs. Visiting professionals also introduced African music and cultural diversity. These examples connected play with people, work and experiences beyond the pre-school.

Relationships and Communication

Scallywags has policies covering settling in and the key-person arrangement, giving those relationships a formal place in its care structure. A volunteer management committee oversees the setting, supported by a paid, part-time administrator.

In March 2025, communication with parents included updates about children's wellbeing, progress discussions at parents' evenings and questionnaires inviting families' views. Staff encouraged sign language at home so that children could use a consistent means of communication across the two settings. That is a practical form of partnership: an approach used during the day can continue at home.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The team includes a Special Educational Needs Coordinator, a Designated Safeguarding Lead and a deputy safeguarding lead. Paediatric first-aid training is also represented within the team. These are specific arrangements and responsibilities, rather than a general promise about support.

In March 2025, staff helped children recognise emotions and practise a calming technique: breathing slowly while moving a finger around the outline of their hand. Children also took responsibility for small jobs, including clearing their cups and plates after snack. These activities gave them manageable ways to participate in daily life.

Oral health had a concrete place in the day, too. In March 2025, children brushed their teeth during the afternoon, with staff explaining why cleaning them mattered. This was a daily care routine linked to understanding their own health.

Sessions and Attendance

Scallywags operates during term time, Monday to Friday. The All Day session runs from 9.15am to 3.15pm; Morning Only ends at 12.15pm after the same start. Morning + Lunch Club runs from 9.15am to 1.15pm, while Lunch Club + Afternoon runs from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Including lunch in either shorter pattern gives families an alternative to the full day.

Additional sessions run from 8.15am to 9.15am and from 3.15pm to 4.15pm, with advance booking and sufficient numbers required. Those conditions matter when arranging work around attendance: the additional hours are a separate booking arrangement.

The setting is at The Jubilee Suite, The Parish Hall, Halwill Junction, Beaworthy, EX21 5XR. Enquiries and information-pack requests can be made by telephone or email.

Funding and Moving On

Funded childcare includes Two Year Old Funding, 15 Hours Universal Funding and 30 Hours Working Funding; unfunded sessions are also offered. These are separate routes to paying for attendance, rather than a guarantee that every child qualifies for every entitlement. Families should obtain current prices in a written quotation.

Scallywags describes a close relationship with Halwill Primary School, including reciprocal visits that familiarise children with teachers and the school. The garden in its grounds gives that connection another practical expression. Attendance at Scallywags does not guarantee a school place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Changes between activities. In March 2025, some children expected lunch when a small-group activity came first. How are children now helped to understand the sequence of their day?
• Additional hours. The early and late sessions require advance booking and sufficient numbers. Establish how that condition will work for your intended attendance pattern before relying on those hours.
• Lunch and everyday supplies. Several session choices include lunchtime. At a visit, ask how meals, snacks and non-food consumables are treated for funded and privately paid attendance.

Scallywags suits families seeking term-time preschool education with a choice of morning-only, lunch-inclusive shorter sessions or a full day. Its village connections give learning a tangible setting: planting in the school garden, exploring outdoors and meeting people from the surrounding community.

The March 2025 Good judgement supports that picture, while the concern about transitions provides a useful test of current practice. The strongest fit is for families who value play, communication and community experiences, and whose schedules work with the core sessions and the conditions attached to additional hours.