Emmanuel Pre School

Vegetables grown from seed, a bear taken home and practical preparation for school give Emmanuel Pre School a recognisable character. At its September 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good and judged safeguarding effective. The strongest examples connect play with everyday independence.

Based at Emmanuel Church Hall in Hailsham, it has capacity for 32 children. In September 2023, children attending were aged two to four; the activities and care described below belong to that period.

In September 2023, learning extended into the garden, where children cultivated vegetables in an allotment area. People Who Help Us activities included visits by police and a lifeboat crew, bringing community roles into children's learning. These were concrete encounters rather than abstract explanations.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its everyday expression included play, conversation and practical tasks. In September 2023, The Smartest Giant in Town inspired role play and life-sized drawings on paper rolls. During construction play, staff prompted children to reconsider an unstable block tower and rebuild together. The examples show how stories and children's own experiments supplied starting points for discussion.

In September 2023, Georgie Bear travelled home with children, who shared their experiences afterwards. This gave home life a place in group conversation. Staff also worked with parents on children's learning, while training and resources addressed children's differing needs.

The weekly Explorers group gave older children opportunities to rehearse school routines in September 2023. Dressing for outdoor play, managing handwashing and toileting, preparing snacks and pouring drinks made independence practical. Choosing a library book to share at home linked these routines with family reading.

Physical activity and outdoor play featured in September 2023, alongside conversations about nutrition and beach safety. Oral-health learning needed more attention during lunch, however. That is a specific improvement point for families to explore.

Emmanuel Pre School's address is Emmanuel Church Hall, Hawkswood Road, Hailsham, BN27 1UG.

In September 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on weekdays during term time, with an optional breakfast club also operating. Families should obtain current prices in a written quotation.

• Attendance pattern. The September 2023 arrangement centred on term-time weekday opening and an optional breakfast club. What are the current booking patterns and breakfast-club hours?
• Healthy routines. September 2023 lunchtime practice gave too little attention to oral health. During a visit, ask how tooth-care learning now fits into meals and everyday activities.

Emmanuel's September 2023 picture will appeal to families seeking practical school preparation and learning that connects stories, gardening and home experiences. The Explorers group and Georgie Bear make that character tangible. It suits parents considering term-time daytime care or an optional breakfast club, both part of the September 2023 arrangement.