Paulerspury Pre-School

A village hall, a garden for growing vegetables and a parent committee with a say in major decisions give Paulerspury Pre-School its character. This is community childcare with practical opportunities for families to get involved, from helping with fundraising to shaping how the setting runs. The hall provides space for indoor play, while direct outdoor access lets children choose between activities inside and outside.

Children can join from age 2, and the setting has 26 places in total. Ofsted rated it Good on 30 November 2022. Morning, afternoon and all-day attendance sit within a term-time model, making the pre-school relevant to families seeking shorter sessions as well as a school-length day.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) organises learning through play across areas including language, physical development, early mathematics and personal development. Here, that translates into dressing up, creative work, water exploration and pretend domestic play. These activities give children different ways to express ideas, practise conversation and experiment with materials rather than learning only through adult-led tasks.

Space is divided by purpose. A home corner supports imaginative play; a book corner provides somewhere quieter; and a physical area allows movement and practice in judging space around other children. Indoor play areas change daily, so the environment can offer fresh invitations to explore. The curriculum description connects these resources with the areas of learning.

In November 2022, staff used children's interests to shape activities: dough and cake-making equipment became props for pretend birthday celebrations. Mathematical talk also ran through water play, with adults introducing ideas about containers, shapes and size. These examples show how an ordinary play activity can carry both imaginative and early mathematical learning.

The same visit identified a limitation. Some practitioners were more confident with planned activities than with extending children's thinking during play as it unfolded. Improving those spontaneous exchanges was an action for the setting, an important distinction between having suitable resources and making the most of children's questions and discoveries.

Outdoor and Community Life

Outside, a permanent sand pit and wooden fort provide materials and structures for imaginative games and den-making. Native planting brings insects and sensory exploration into the garden, while another growing space lets children plant vegetables and flowers. Growing food gives staff a concrete starting point for conversations about how plants develop and what children eat.

Direct access supports free-flow play: children can choose outdoor activity or remain inside. In November 2022, children used bicycles and climbing equipment, taking turns and adjusting their movements around others. For a child who enjoys being active, the combination of movement space and garden exploration is a useful part of the setting's appeal.

The June 2026 learning theme was Mini Beasts, alongside discussion of growing up and trying unfamiliar things. That was a dated example of the term's learning, rather than a permanent programme. It connected naturally with the insects and plants available for exploration outdoors.

Relationships and Communication

An individual key person supports each child's care, giving families a specific adult relationship within the wider team. Parents can also participate in activities and their child's learning. The elected voluntary committee extends that involvement into decisions about policy, finances and staff employment, so participation can mean more than attending an occasional event.

Tapestry provides an electronic way to follow learning and contribute experiences from home. In June 2026, parents were encouraged to upload photographs for staff to discuss with children. This gives home experiences a place in pre-school conversation and helps families contribute to the learning story rather than simply receive updates.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified SEND support as a strength, with staff, parents and other professionals working together to support children's progress. A special educational needs specialist and accessible entry to the hall are part of the current arrangements. Families needing additional support have both a named role and a physical access consideration to discuss.

In November 2022, books, games and conversation helped children recognise feelings and explain when another child's behaviour upset them. However, adults did not consistently explain boundaries, including why running indoors was inappropriate. This was the other improvement priority: children needed clearer, more consistent help to understand expectations.

School preparation also included everyday independence in November 2022, such as washing hands before snack and removing footwear for physical activity. In June 2026, learning included readiness for school and transitions for children leaving that September. The emphasis was on practical preparation for a change of setting.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, with closure during school holidays and Bank Holidays. Morning attendance runs from 9am to noon; the home timetable gives afternoons from 12.30pm to either 3pm or 3.30pm, with lunch between noon and 12.30pm.

The funded timetable has mornings from 9am to noon, afternoons from noon to 3pm and all-day attendance from 9am to 3pm. The fee timetable also includes private morning, afternoon and all-day patterns, with additional half-hour periods at lunchtime and the end of the day. These different afternoon start times matter when choosing an attendance pattern.

Regular, additional and ad hoc sessions can be requested. Bills are issued monthly, and booked sessions remain payable when a child does not attend. Enquiries can be made through the contact form, by email to info@paulerspurypreschool.co.uk or by telephone on 07851 296 392.

Getting There

The address is Village Hall, High Street, Paulerspury, NN12 7NA, near Towcester. There is a large car park on site; the June 2026 reminder said its gates close promptly at 3.45pm, relevant to families using the village play area after collection.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered for eligible children aged 2, 3 and 4, with up to 15 hours per week and extended funding up to 30 hours, delivered during term time. Hours beyond a child's individual entitlement are charged privately, and tax-free childcare payments are accepted. Current prices come in the pre-school's written quotation.

Parents supply packed lunches, snacks and drinks for both funded and private attendance. They also provide nappies, wipes and cream when needed, with labelled sun cream requested where reapplication is necessary.

Voluntary contributions may be requested for additional activities, with advance notification to families. The fees and funding information explains the distinction between funded attendance and additional paid hours.

The pre-school describes close links with Paulerspury Primary School, intended to familiarise children with their next surroundings before Reception. Attendance does not guarantee a school place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Afternoon start times. The home timetable starts afternoons at 12.30pm, while the funded and private fee timetable starts them at noon. Confirm the start and finish times for your intended booking before committing.
• Teaching and boundaries. November 2022 improvement priorities concerned consistent explanations of behaviour and stronger spontaneous interactions during play. On a visit, ask how practitioners now extend children's ideas and explain indoor rules.
• Term-time family routine. School-holiday closures and parent-supplied lunches, snacks and care items are part of the model. Consider how those arrangements fit your working pattern and daily preparation.

Paulerspury suits families wanting morning or afternoon sessions, or an all-day term-time pattern, with outdoor choice and a meaningful route into parent involvement. The garden, adaptable indoor spaces and connection with Paulerspury Primary School give it a clear community identity. The November 2022 improvement priorities make staff interaction and consistent boundaries useful subjects for a visit, alongside the precise afternoon booking times.