The Mulberry Tree Pre-school

Talking about feelings gives The Mulberry Tree Pre-school much of its character. In October 2024, its positivity club helped children put emotions into words and practise breathing techniques when upset, making emotional development a concrete part of the day.

At its 25 October 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the setting Good, judged safeguarding effective and highlighted the strength of its assessment and targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The preschool is based at Kingsmead school in Wirral, accepts children aged 24 to 60 months and has 42 places in total.

Learning follows the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, play provides opportunities to develop language, mathematical understanding and independence. In October 2024, children explored whether a plank would span a gap in a car track, putting ideas about length to practical use. Mathematical language had a purpose beyond an adult-led task.

The positivity club gave feelings similar attention that October. Staff introduced vocabulary for different emotions, discussed their own feelings and helped children describe themselves and others positively. Breathing exercises gave children something practical to try when emotions became difficult to manage.

Community experiences extended beyond the setting. In October 2024, children made regular visits to a nursing home to spend social time with residents, while families contributed food hampers for donation to a food bank. These were tangible ways to introduce responsibility towards other people. Regular sport and dance sessions also brought movement into the nursery day.

The separate Mulberry Tree Holiday Club serves older children aged 5 to 12. Its large outdoor field hosts sports competitions, alongside craft activities and areas where older children can relax. Past holiday activities have included UTS gym trips and A to Z Animal Safari experiences. Those examples belong to the holiday club, rather than the preschool curriculum.

In October 2024, staff responded when children became overwhelmed, offering reassurance and helping them manage disagreements with other children. Sharing and taking turns were supported through everyday interactions. The emphasis was on helping children work through a difficulty with an adult alongside them.

Communication with families also had a practical purpose that October. Parents received children's next learning steps so they could continue activities at home, and staff exchanged information with local schools to support the move into school. This transition work concerns preparation and continuity of care.

Daily routines offered opportunities to do things independently. In October 2024, children chose fruit at snack time, served their own lunch and used a water fountain to pour drinks. A nursery chef prepared their food, and staff used conversations about meals to discuss healthy eating. Familiar tasks gave children repeated opportunities to practise managing things for themselves.

The address is Kingsmead school, 6-12 Bertram Drive, Wirral, CH47 0LL. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays; the setting operates across the year and closes at Christmas.

For older children, the Mulberry Tree Holiday Club has a HAF care pattern running from 9am to 3pm. Its Wirral Council-funded ticket includes lunch, snacks and activity costs unless otherwise stated. That holiday arrangement is separate from preschool funded early education: in October 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for three- and four-year-olds.

Attendance at the preschool does not guarantee a Reception place at Kingsmead school.

• Time to answer. At the October 2024 inspection, Ofsted identified questions asked too rapidly for children to compose answers, and activities that were not consistently adjusted to extend every child's learning; staff needed further support with curriculum delivery. During a visit, ask how practitioners now allow thinking time and adapt activities for different starting points.
• Preschool and holiday care. The preschool accepts children aged 24 to 60 months, while the holiday club serves ages 5 to 12 with its own HAF ticket. Ask for a written quotation covering your preschool attendance pattern, funded hours, meals and non-food consumables before agreeing a booking.

The Mulberry Tree suits families who value emotional vocabulary, practical independence and contact with the wider community. Its October 2024 practice gives those priorities substance: children discussed feelings, managed everyday tasks and spent time with nursing-home residents. Curriculum delivery deserves attention alongside those strengths. For families with older children, the separate holiday club adds a different option, with field-based sport and a shorter HAF care day alongside the preschool's weekday opening window.