St Mary's Under Fives

Dinosaur building, communication through Makaton and a book-based emotions station give St Mary's Under Fives a recognisable preschool character. These were features of its January 2024 provision, where children's interests supplied starting points for learning rather than simply themes for activities.

At its January 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective, positive learning progress and effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. There were also two clear priorities: more consistent guidance during group activities and better engagement for quieter children.

The setting has 28 places in total, at George Lane in Marlborough. Children attending in January 2024 were aged two to four.

In January 2024, learning followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care. Play made those elements concrete: staff brought counting and comparisons into children's dinosaur construction, linking mathematical language to something children already wanted to do.

Makaton was used across the team to help children communicate and was incorporated into learning. In January 2024, role play also let children develop stories together around familiar family experiences. These approaches gave children different ways to participate, through communication, construction and imaginative play.

Books brought children together for shared stories. Everyday tidying offered another learning opportunity: staff encouraged children to replace excessive tissue use with cloths, making care for resources part of an ordinary task.

At the January 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that the key-person arrangements supported close knowledge of children, while the special educational needs coordinator worked with families and outside agencies to arrange referrals and individual learning opportunities.

In January 2024, staff discussed children's learning together and invited parents to talk about development and activities for home. Video clips helped families see their children's play and interactions, giving those conversations concrete examples.

The Colour Monster supplied the theme for an emotions station in January 2024, with sound buttons expressing feelings in different languages. A calming sensory area provided somewhere for downtime, while staff helped children identify and talk about emotions. Emotional support therefore included both a physical space and conversation.

The address is Marlborough St. Mary's primary school, George Lane, Marlborough, SN8 4BX.

In January 2024, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on weekdays during term time. The preschool received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four at that time. This was a term-time operating pattern, rather than an all-year childcare offer.

• Group activities. In January 2024, behaviour guidance was inconsistent during shared stories, and distractions affected children trying to listen. Clear expectations were an improvement priority.
• Quieter children. In January 2024, some children spent extended periods in repetitive play or disengaged, with insufficient help to broaden their learning. This matters when weighing how readily a child joins activities.
• Term-time planning. January 2024 opening hours followed weekdays in term time. At a visit, how would the current attendance and funded-hours arrangements fit your family's schedule?

St Mary's Under Fives suits families seeking a preschool experience built around play, communication and support for understanding feelings. The January 2024 picture combines thoughtful learning examples and close family communication with specific weaknesses in group guidance and quieter children's participation. Its January 2024 term-time pattern is the practical consideration to weigh alongside that educational picture.