Daisy Chain Pre-School, Southfields

An imaginary aeroplane made from chairs captures the character of Daisy Chain’s June 2022 provision: children turned an interest in flying into role play, taking passenger and pilot roles on a pretend trip to Disneyland in America. Everyday interests became opportunities to talk and imagine.

Daisy Chain Pre-School, Southfields caters for children aged two to five at Southfields Community Centre in Northampton, with 26 places in total. At its 20 June 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective. Its current opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care: play, communication and practical experiences support their development together.

In June 2022, language was a priority. Staff introduced vocabulary and used simple signs alongside speech, including signs for sharing and more. However, questioning sometimes moved too quickly for children to formulate an answer. Giving a child space to respond matters as much as introducing another word.

Outdoor activity also had a clear purpose in June 2022, especially for children whose families had no garden. Hurdles and apparatus gave children opportunities to jump and crawl, practising coordination and movement. Indoors, children explored dental care with a book and pretend teeth, making an everyday health routine something they could practise through play.

At the June 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that children generally settled comfortably, staff responded sensitively when they were distressed, and practitioners recognised developmental support needs and were confident about seeking help from other professionals. This gives a dated picture of both emotional care and support for individual development.

In June 2022, parents completed All about me sheets to share children’s interests and development, helping staff plan around the individual child. Key practitioners knew their own children well, but colleagues did not consistently understand the next learning steps for other children in their care. That distinction matters when several adults support the same child.

Practical independence featured in June 2022 too: children poured drinks and practised spreading jam. Staff shared vocabulary ideas with parents, connecting learning at the setting with conversations at home.

The address is Southfields Community Centre, Farmhill Road, Southfields, Northampton, NN3 5LH. Opening hours run from 9am to 3pm on weekdays in term time, with closure during school holidays. Families needing holiday childcare must plan around that calendar.

In June 2022, the attendance pattern was a term-time daytime session, from 9am until 3pm. At that date, the pre-school also provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Time to answer. In June 2022, questions sometimes followed too rapidly. On a visit, look for pauses that let children think and contribute.
• Shared knowledge of learning. The June 2022 improvement priority included helping staff understand the next steps for children beyond their own key group. Ask how that information passes between practitioners.
• Term-time calendar. School-holiday closure makes this a fit for families whose childcare needs follow term dates, with separate arrangements needed for holidays.
• Funding and costs. Funded early education formed part of the June 2022 provision. What funded attendance arrangements and charges would apply to your child? Request a current written quotation.

This is a setting to consider for families seeking term-time daytime care for a child aged two to five. Its June 2022 picture combines imaginative play, purposeful outdoor movement and practical independence. The decision deserves equal attention to the two teaching priorities: allowing children time to answer and ensuring their learning needs are understood across the staff team.