The Windmill Pre-School

Tyres, crates and planks became a bridge at The Windmill Pre-School in October 2023: a useful picture of children making their own play rather than simply following instructions. Based at Bolford Street Hall in Thaxted, the setting has capacity for 20 children.

At its 31 October 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children needing additional help received skilled support, including individual assistance and work with other professionals. Children attending then were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing learning through play together with everyday routines. In October 2023, staff introduced colour vocabulary through things children could find around them, connecting new words with concrete examples.

Outside, children experimented with balls, water, pipes and guttering. Balancing objects and getting balls to roll from a higher point gave children practical problems to solve while developing movement and coordination. Indoors and outdoors were both options for play.

Community outings in October 2023 included gardens, windmills and shops. These extended learning beyond the hall. Staff also planned from children's existing experiences, although opportunities to use home languages and explore family customs were inconsistent.

In October 2023, children practised putting on outdoor clothing, helping clear away food and expressing what they needed. Younger children needing help were encouraged to manage as much of each task as they could themselves. These small responsibilities supported preparation for school.

Sand timers helped make turn-taking understandable. Conversations about home connected children's experiences with their day, while staff tracked development and adjusted their help. Parents' views contributed to evaluation, and staff received training and support; work to introduce more challenging play was also underway.

The inclusion weakness matters alongside these strengths: children's different backgrounds did not consistently shape their play and learning.

The address is Bolford Street Hall, Thaxted, Dunmow, Essex CM6 2PY.

In October 2023, attendance operated during school terms, Monday to Friday, with sessions running from 9am to 2pm. At that time, the pre-school received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. These are dated arrangements rather than a description of today's booking offer.

Ofsted's compliance outcome dated 31 October 2025 recorded that outing risk assessments had been strengthened following a safety notification, but also identified a failure to notify changes to the governing body; the provider remained registered. The outings issue had been addressed, while the governing-body notification failure formed part of that later published position.

• Home languages and family customs. In October 2023, these were not consistently represented in learning. Families raising children with another home language should discuss how their child's language and background enter everyday play.
• Governance notification. The 31 October 2025 outcome identified a failure to notify governing-body changes. This is a separate consideration from the outing procedures that had already been corrected.
• Term-time attendance. The October 2023 pattern was a weekday session ending at 2pm. What attendance and funded arrangements would fit your family now?

The October 2023 picture suits families seeking practical, play-based preschool experiences with opportunities to develop independence. Construction, outdoor experimentation and community outings give that account substance. The inclusion improvement and later governance finding also deserve weight in the decision. Its documented attendance pattern was term-time sessional care, so families should judge fit against that dated model.