Middle Rasen and District Pre School

Soft lighting, hanging jellyfish and gentle music gave the baby room a recognisable character in June 2024. Elsewhere, children built vehicle ramps from pipes and wooden planks. These details capture a setting where sensory experiences and practical play sat alongside everyday independence.

At its 13 June 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Middle Rasen and District Pre School Good and found safeguarding effective. The setting has 36 places in total, with an age range of 3 to 132 months.

In June 2024, learning followed the early years foundation stage: play and planned activities covered children's communication, physical development and other areas of learning. Staff used observations to decide what children should work on next, alongside information from their families.

Physical resources suited different stages. Babies pulled themselves upright using low furniture, while older children tackled slides and climbing walls. Preschool children worked together to balance ramps and send vehicles down them. Counting games and filling containers brought numbers, quantity and size into play.

There was an important limitation. During pretend ice-cream-shop play, adults sometimes echoed children's ideas rather than adding a new challenge. Extending learning during freely chosen play was one of the improvements required in June 2024.

In June 2024, key-person relationships supported children's separation from their carers. Staff encouraged children to persevere with small tasks, including correcting shoes put on the wrong feet. The emphasis was on recognising the effort before helping children try again.

Families received information about learning and ideas for supporting independence and toilet training at home. A special educational needs coordinator discussed support for children with additional needs during the visit.

Behaviour expectations needed greater consistency. Children practised rules through songs at group time, but some adults told them to stop without explaining the behaviour they wanted instead. Clearer guidance was the second improvement required in June 2024.

The address is Middle Rasen County Primary School, North Street, Middle Rasen, Market Rasen, LN8 3TS.

In June 2024, the setting operated on weekdays during term time, with session times of 7.30am to 5.30pm. It also provided care before and after school and opened on selected school-holiday days. Funded early education covered two-, three- and four-year-olds at that time. These attendance and funding details describe the June 2024 arrangements.

The premises were within the grounds of Middle Rasen Primary School in June 2024. Attendance at the preschool does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Challenge during play. Extending children's ideas more consistently was an improvement required in June 2024. During a visit, ask how adults now develop learning during pretend play.
• Behaviour guidance. The June 2024 findings called for a more consistent response when children needed redirection. Ask how practitioners explain expectations across the setting.
• Attendance beyond preschool. June 2024 arrangements included before- and after-school care and selected holiday days. Which attendance pattern, funding arrangements and meal or consumable responsibilities would apply to your child?

This setting merits consideration for families who value practical play and encouragement towards independence. Its June 2024 arrangements served both preschool attendance and before- and after-school care. The Good judgement gives a clear inspection position, balanced by two concrete priorities: stretching learning during play and making behaviour guidance consistent.