Outwood Pre School

Large-block towers, animal models and bead threading give Outwood Pre School a practical, hands-on character in its May 2024 account of daily life. Ofsted judged the setting Good on 1 May 2024 and found safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 24 children at its Outwood address in Wakefield.

Children attending in May 2024 were aged two to four. The strongest examples centre on shared play, familiar routines and activities that prepare hands and fingers for writing. The improvement points matter too: quieter children needed more opportunities to speak, and staff needed to explain feelings more fully.

In May 2024, children collaborated on towers made from large blocks, while farm-animal themes connected stories and songs with model-making. Staff drew on children's existing experiences when planning learning. These examples give parents a useful picture of how a topic could move between listening, making and playing.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the May 2024 examples show learning through play and everyday routines. Bead threading and papier mâché work exercised the small muscles needed for pencil control. Tidying and group activities also gave the session a familiar rhythm.

Daily stories, action songs and rhymes supported listening and vocabulary in May 2024. Participation was uneven, however: confident voices sometimes took over, leaving quieter children fewer chances to contribute. Outdoor play provided daily fresh air and exercise.

At the May 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff worked with the local authority and other professionals on SEND support, using additional funding for individual care to help children towards their development goals. This is a concrete example of support organised around a child's needs.

Parent communication in May 2024 included sharing children's learning and next steps, gathering information about interests at home, and using a social media page for home-learning ideas. That exchange helped staff plan activities around the children they knew.

Health routines in May 2024 included handwashing before snacks and opportunities to brush teeth during sessions. Healthy snacks, drinks and access to fresh water supported the day. Staff reminded children about sharing and taking turns, although explanations of how behaviour affected other people's feelings needed more attention.

The address is 560 Leeds Road, Outwood, Wakefield, WF1 2DT.

In May 2024, attendance ran Monday to Friday in term time, with sessions from 9.15am to 12.15pm. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. These are dated attendance and funding arrangements, rather than a description of today's booking offer.

• Space for quieter voices. In May 2024, confident children sometimes dominated group conversations. Ask how staff now give less-confident children time to contribute.
• Understanding feelings. May 2024 practice included reminders about rules and sharing, but explanations of the emotional effect of children's actions were inconsistent. Ask how those conversations develop during play.
• Monitoring everyday practice. In May 2024, staff had peer observations, supervision and appraisals, but managerial observation needed greater precision. Ask how this now leads to specific changes in teaching.

Outwood Pre School suits families who value collaborative play, practical preparation for writing and a familiar session routine. Its May 2024 morning, term-time arrangement offers the relevant attendance context. The Good judgement sits alongside three useful questions about participation, feelings and staff monitoring: each concerns what children experience day to day.