Giggles Pre-School

Bread dough, numbered stones and animals to care for gave Giggles Pre-School a practical, hands-on character in June 2022. Based at Daventry Community Centre on Ashby Road, it has capacity for 30 children. The emphasis in that dated picture was on children doing things themselves, from preparing a snack to putting on their shoes.

At its June 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good progress in children's learning. Children attending then were aged two to four. That is a useful account of the pre-school's work at that point, rather than a description of today's age range or daily routine.

In June 2022, learning combined stories with physical exploration: children handled dough and added flavourings while acting out a bread-making story. Number recognition moved between paper, numbered stones and garden hopscotch. These activities connected listening and counting with things children could touch and do.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care, bringing these strands together through everyday activities. In June 2022, a dinosaur song encouraged movement and language, while sewing felt gave children practice with precise hand movements. Bicycles in the garden provided a different physical challenge, developing coordination.

Animal care added responsibility. During June 2022 sessions, children fed and watered a rabbit and a guinea pig, and watered flowers they had planted. They also played instruments, followed a beat and sang; additional funding supported swimming lessons and football training. These were concrete opportunities to explore interests beyond table-based activities.

In June 2022, children practised independence by washing their hands, preparing crackers with butter and cheese, and managing coats and shoes. Staff sat alongside them at lunch and encouraged them to eat healthy food. Pretend toothbrushing linked health conversations to children's experiences of visiting the dentist.

Relationships also had practical expression that June: staff comforted children after minor accidents, parents received regular updates, and children helped identify hazards using a tick chart. Choosing favourite stories by voting gave children a say in the session, while tidying and reminders about polite language supported shared routines.

There was a clear weakness alongside this activity. In June 2022, staff sometimes delivered questions too quickly for younger children to process, and some children disengaged. Staff needed greater skill and confidence in adjusting activities to different needs.

The address is Daventry Community Centre, Ashby Road, Daventry, NN11 0QE.

In June 2022, the pre-school operated on weekdays during term time, with sessions running from 8.30am to 3pm. It provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time. Those arrangements describe the inspection period.

• Activities for younger children. Rapid questioning sometimes left younger children struggling to participate in June 2022. During a visit, ask how staff now pace questions and adapt group activities.
• Term-time attendance. The June 2022 pattern followed term time and a daytime session window. How do the current attendance and funding arrangements fit your family's working week?

Giggles merits consideration by families who value practical learning, outdoor movement and opportunities for children to take responsibility. Its June 2022 picture combined cooking-related play, animal care and growing independence with a specific need to improve how activities were adapted. The strongest fit is for parents seeking that hands-on approach and weighing the historic term-time pattern against their childcare needs.