Stepping Stones Pre-School

In September 2022, a grassed hill for ride-on play, a mud kitchen and an outdoor library gave Stepping Stones Pre-School a recognisable character. These supported physical exploration, imaginative play and reading beyond the setting. The emphasis was on children doing things for themselves.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 13 September 2022. It has capacity for 55 children in total; children attending in September 2022 were aged two to four.

In September 2022, learning combined hands-on investigation with conversation. At the potion station, flowers and water prompted exploration and new vocabulary. A pretend car wash brought children together to carry water and investigate sponges. These were practical opportunities to talk, cooperate and test ideas.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, its inspection-time expression included stories, songs, physical play and growing independence.

Outdoor play had substance in September 2022. The mud kitchen supported pretend cooking, while tricycles, balancing toys and supervised downhill rides offered different physical challenges. Children harvested food, helped prepare it and tasted what they had grown. Exploring sycamore seeds and learning to care for animals extended their contact with the natural world.

That month, outings included woodland, a duck pond, a shop and a church. Children also explored reusing water and recycling: everyday materials became starting points for understanding their surroundings.

At its September 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including collaboration with parents and professionals on detailed education health and care plans. Those plans gave staff specific information about individual needs.

In September 2022, settling sessions and communication with families included suggestions and resources for learning at home. The outdoor library supported parents sharing stories with their children at home. Independence also had practical expression: children poured drinks, washed their hands and helped clear away.

During that month, staff met to discuss children's development and plan around their interests, with training opportunities supporting their work. Local primary-school teachers joined stories, games and lunch, while staff shared learning information to help children prepare for Reception.

The address is Rear of Exning CP on Oxford Street, in Exning, Newmarket, CB8 7EW. In September 2022, opening hours were 7.45am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation except for a summer closure of one week and a December closure of one or two weeks.

At that time, funded early education was offered for children aged two, three and four. These are dated arrangements, relevant when discussing an attendance plan.

• Language development. In September 2022, staff did not consistently take conversations far enough to extend children's language. Strengthening teaching in this area was the improvement priority, making the quality of adult interaction an important consideration.
• Outdoor challenge. September 2022 activities included supervised downhill rides on the grassed hill. This offers a useful point of comparison for families weighing active play and supported risk-taking.
• Attendance planning. The September 2022 opening pattern included summer and December closures. At a visit, what attendance arrangements and closure dates would apply to your child now?

Stepping Stones suits families drawn to practical exploration, outdoor activity and opportunities for children to become more independent. Its September 2022 experience combined growing food, imaginative play and links with primary-school teachers. The Good judgement provides a dated quality reference; extending children's language consistently remains the important qualification to that picture.