Batley Road Pre-School

Small hammers, harvested potatoes and music-led movement give Batley Road Pre-School’s September 2022 daily life a practical character. At its 30 September 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, with positive findings about relationships and children’s learning, alongside two improvements concerning adult attention and thinking time.

Based at Phoenix Youth Club in Alverthorpe, Wakefield, the pre-school accepts children aged 24 to 60 months and has 25 places in total. It operates during term time, with a shorter opening day on Fridays.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: children build communication, physical skills and independence through play and everyday routines.

In September 2022, practical learning included using small hammers and saws and distinguishing screws from nails. An imaginary ice-cream shop drew on familiar experiences, giving children something concrete to discuss and develop through play.

Growing food connected several stages of an activity. In September 2022, children planted, watered and harvested potatoes, then ate them after staff cooked them; herbs in pots provided opportunities to explore smells and discuss cooking. Daily movement sessions included marching and running to music. Learning involved bodies as well as conversation.

There was a limitation. In September 2022, adults sometimes stayed with the activities they were leading, leaving children elsewhere with less attention; some questions also moved too quickly for children to formulate their own answers.

In September 2022, a key-person system supported relationships with families, and parents could remain for whole sessions while their children settled. Staff exchanged information about the day and gave updates on development. Songs were slowed down to help children hear their words more clearly.

Everyday independence also mattered in September 2022: children poured drinks, practised putting on coats and helped clear equipment before stories. Discussions about feelings accompanied physical activity indoors and outside, while snacks and tooth-care learning supported healthy routines.

At the September 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective, with staff understanding how to raise welfare concerns and children learning to manage risks, including wet decking.

The address is Phoenix Youth Club, Batley Road, Alverthorpe, Wakefield, WF2 0AE. Opening hours are 8.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 11.30am Friday, during term time; the setting closes for school holidays.

In September 2022, morning sessions ran from 8.30am to 11.30am and afternoon sessions from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds was also offered at that date. These session and funding details belong to that period.

• Adult attention. September 2022 practice sometimes left children outside adult-led activities with fewer interactions. On a visit, ask how staff now distribute their attention across the room.
• Time to think. Children were sometimes hurried towards answers in September 2022. Look for pauses that let a child consider a question and respond independently.
• Term-time routine. School-holiday closures and the shorter Friday opening day shape the working week. Families needing holiday care will need a separate arrangement.

Batley Road suits families whose routines fit term-time care and a shorter Friday. Its September 2022 morning and afternoon patterns offered two distinct ways to attend. Practical play and close family relationships give that dated account substance; consistent adult attention and sufficient thinking time are the points to examine when choosing it.