Old Stratford Pre School

A large outdoor area at Old Stratford Community Hall gives Old Stratford Pre School a clear outdoor character, with Forest School sessions for children aged three and above adding opportunities to learn outdoors. It welcomes children from age two until they begin primary school and has 27 places in total. This is a preschool offer, rather than baby care.

At its July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the preschool Good overall, judged behaviour and attitudes Outstanding and found safeguarding effective. Those judgements sit alongside concrete examples of children encouraging one another, experimenting with materials and persisting when tasks became difficult. The improvement point concerned daily routines, especially snack time, rather than the breadth of activities.

Morning and afternoon sessions, breakfast club and short extensions give families several ways to arrange term-time attendance.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday experiences support their learning alongside their wellbeing. Forest School adds an outdoor-learning approach for children from three upwards. Its age threshold matters for families choosing provision for a younger child.

In July 2023, an ice-cream-shop activity gave children different levels of mathematical challenge. Younger children counted scoops and explored colours and flavours; others selected coins and worked out change. The same play scenario could therefore hold different tasks, rather than requiring everyone to do identical work.

Children's interests also shaped activities in July 2023. Finding a toad in the garden led to exploring life cycles, obtaining tadpoles and researching a suitable environment for them. Children followed their development day by day. It was a concrete way to connect a discovery outside with observation and discussion.

Conversation had a place throughout the July 2023 day, including group discussions and adults introducing new vocabulary. Children returning from holidays used a world map, books and postcards to explore the places they had visited. These examples connected talking and writing with experiences children could contribute themselves.

Outdoor and Community Life

The current setting includes a large outdoor area. In July 2023, children built bridges and slopes from timber and practised judging how to move across them. An outdoor stage gave them space to sing together, while a woodwork bench presented practical tasks that sometimes required another attempt. Staff offered suggestions when children struggled with the equipment.

A beekeeper visit described in July 2023 brought protective clothing, hives and honeycomb into children's learning. Parents were encouraged to contribute their knowledge and skills, making adult experience part of the preschool day. These are dated examples, rather than a timetable of current visitors.

In July 2023, children applauded friends performing on the outdoor stage and encouraged quieter children to participate. They also reassured one another and showed considerate behaviour. For a family weighing the social side of preschool, these examples give substance to the behaviour judgement.

Parent involvement in July 2023 extended beyond receiving updates: families took part in children's learning and contributed their own expertise. Staff also worked with parents when reviewing care and making changes to the environment. That offered a route for family experience to influence the setting.

Designated Safeguarding Lead roles form part of the current staff structure. The dated safeguarding judgement belongs to July 2023; the existence of these roles describes the present arrangements rather than supplying a new effectiveness judgement.

Breakfast club includes a light breakfast and time to play. Children staying for lunch need the additional lunchtime session, so lunch affects the attendance pattern as well as the child's day.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 7.30am to 3pm, Monday to Friday in term time, excluding bank holidays. Morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am; afternoons run from 11.30am to 2.30pm. Attendance requires a minimum of two morning or afternoon sessions.

Breakfast club runs from 7.30am to 8.30am. Short extensions cover 11.30am to noon and 2.30pm to 3pm; children staying for lunch need the former. These choices let families distinguish a morning booking, an afternoon booking and the extra time around them. They remain term-time arrangements.

Getting There

The preschool is based at Old Stratford Community Hall, Deanshanger Road, Old Stratford, MK19 6NL. A large car park is part of the setting, a practical consideration for families travelling by car.

Funding and Paid Extras

Eligible children can use 15 or 30 funded hours, with families able to use some or all of their entitlement within the term-time offer. Paid sessions are also offered. Current prices come in the preschool's written quotation; the session choices and extensions are set out on its times and fees page.

Enrolment begins through the admissions contact form, followed by a registration form and a deposit. Enrolment depends on availability and staff-to-child ratios, so returning the paperwork is part of the application rather than a guarantee of a place.

• Daily routines. The July 2023 improvement point concerned how routines supported learning and preparation for school, with snack time singled out. At a visit, ask how snack time now contributes to children's independence and learning.
• Attendance commitment. The minimum booking is two morning or afternoon sessions, and attendance is term-time only. Weigh that commitment against the days your family needs care.
• Forest School age threshold. Sessions are for children from three upwards. Ask how these sessions fit into the attendance pattern you are considering.
• Lunch arrangements. Staying for lunch requires the 11.30am-to-noon extension. Ask what families need to supply for lunch and other everyday care items.

Old Stratford Pre School suits families seeking morning or afternoon preschool sessions during term time, with breakfast club and short extensions providing additional choices. Its large outdoor area and Forest School offer give the setting an identifiable character. The July 2023 examples add a picture of practical exploration and children supporting their friends, while the daily-routines improvement point gives families a specific issue to explore at a visit.