Sunshine Pre-School

A woodland garden, a Nurture cabin and real objects for imaginative play give Sunshine Pre-School a clear character. Based in a modular building on the grounds of St. Mary’s school in Welham Green, it combines space for active exploration with quieter places for children who need a pause. The outdoor provision deserves attention. This is a setting where digging, climbing and making things are part of the learning environment.

Sunshine welcomes children from 2 to rising 5 and has capacity for 26 children in total. At its February 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding across all assessed areas. That judgement is dated; the current physical offer includes two garden areas, a main playroom and smaller spaces for quiet play and group activities.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning and care, with children developing skills through play and exploration. Alongside that shared foundation, Sunshine uses the Curiosity Approach: children follow their interests, investigate their surroundings and make discoveries through activities they help shape.

Natural materials and everyday objects give this approach a practical form. Children can decide what an object becomes in their play rather than work towards a single prescribed result. Accessible resources in the main playroom support that choice. For parents, the useful distinction is between adults providing opportunities and adults determining every step: Sunshine’s approach gives children room to direct their own ideas.

In February 2023, imaginative play included a pirate adventure using telescopes and maps, with staff joining the story. Children also took part in a story incorporating stretching and yoga. Those examples show how pretend play and movement could bring listening, concentration and imagination into the same activity, rather than treating them as separate exercises.

Rooms and Ages

The main playroom allows children to choose resources, while the quiet/sensory room provides somewhere to relax or play more quietly. Having both kinds of space gives the day a change of pace. Child-friendly toilets and a cloakroom support the practical routines around play.

The Nurture cabin houses the Nurture programme, small-group work for children over 3 that supports personal, social and emotional development. Wellcomm adds support for language and communication. A second cabin accommodates small-group activities, giving these sessions a setting away from the main playroom.

Outdoor and Community Life

Two gardens offer different kinds of activity, with children able to choose outdoor play daily. The woodland area includes a mud kitchen, space for digging, climbing challenges and a rope & tyre swing. The other garden has a soft pore surface for bikes and resources taken outside. Sunshine can also use the school playing field for activities needing more space.

In February 2023, children climbed trees, considered risks and used a tree swing with their friends. Closely supervised woodwork involved real hammers and nails. These were practical opportunities to try a physical challenge, handle tools and see the result of their efforts. They also give parents a concrete picture of the exploratory play behind the curriculum language.

Relationships and Communication

A key person takes responsibility for helping each child settle and building a relationship with their family. Progress is discussed with parents throughout the year. That gives families a continuing point of contact, with settling and later development connected through the same system.

In February 2023, staff shared behaviour strategies and visual resources with families for use at home. Children practised everyday independence by washing their hands, managing toileting, selecting snacks and pouring drinks. They also washed their china cups and plates after use. These details matter because preparation for school includes managing ordinary routines as well as joining activities.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Sunshine has a SENCO who works with families and other agencies around individual needs. The Nurture programme and Wellcomm provide specific mechanisms for emotional development and communication, while the quiet/sensory room offers a calmer place within the setting.

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities highly effective, with staff and the SENCO working closely with professionals. In that same month, staff used signing, visual prompts and words displayed around the room to support understanding; small-group emotional work used stones to help children express feelings. The practical thread is clear: communication support extended beyond spoken instructions, and emotional vocabulary had its own place in the day.

Sessions and Attendance

Sunshine is based at St. Marys Infant & Junior School, Dellsome Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7NE. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and families can contact the pre-school by telephone or email.

In February 2023, it operated on weekdays during term time, with session times of 8.40am to 3.10pm. These are the arrangements at that inspection date and should be read as a dated account of attendance.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds, including the 30-hour entitlement. For families considering Sunshine, funding is therefore part of the practical decision alongside the child’s age and the attendance pattern they need.

Moving on to School

Being on the grounds of St. Mary’s school makes the school setting part of Sunshine’s surroundings. Attending Sunshine does not secure a Reception place at the school.

• Woodland play. Climbing challenges, digging and the rope & tyre swing are part of the garden offer. Families who value active exploration have concrete reasons to consider Sunshine.
• Small-group support. The Nurture programme serves children over 3, while Wellcomm supports language and communication. These are useful points of comparison for families weighing emotional development and communication support.
• Planning attendance. Applications are accepted all year, and funded childcare includes the 30-hour entitlement. At a visit, what current attendance pattern and written quotation would apply to your child, including meals and consumables?

Sunshine suits families seeking preschool care built around child-led exploration, substantial outdoor play and specific support for communication and emotional development. The woodland garden and smaller activity spaces give that approach physical substance.

The Outstanding judgement from February 2023 adds weight to the choice, while its school-site location requires a clear distinction between preschool attendance and Reception admission. For parents drawn to natural resources, practical independence and small-group work, Sunshine has a recognisable offer worth considering.