Ladybird Preschool

Jelly-filled test tubes, garden balancing beams and take-home oral-health packs give Ladybird Preschool a recognisable character: practical play with attention to communication and independence. These were features of its January 2023 provision. The setting is based at Henty Rooms, Field Place, The Boulevard, Worthing, BN13 1NP, with capacity for 31 children in total.

At its 4 January 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children made good progress, including through support informed by speech and language therapists. Children attending then were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, play offered opportunities to practise language, explore numbers and develop physical skills. In January 2023, children investigated jelly with their senses and noticed numerals on the test tubes they were filling. Learning grew from something they wanted to explore.

Communication, listening and sustaining attention shaped the curriculum that January. Adult-led activities sat alongside children's own choices, while enthusiastic storytelling introduced unfamiliar vocabulary. Staff planned around children's interests and what they needed to learn next.

The garden gave physical challenges a concrete form. In January 2023, children balanced on wooden beams, propelled ride-on cars and experimented with blowing bubbles. Outings encouraged listening to environmental sounds, and a visiting local organisation discussed beach safety. These experiences connected learning with the world beyond indoor activities.

At the January 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified inconsistent adaptation of planned activities to different ages and abilities, leaving higher-achieving children insufficiently challenged at times. That is the clearest qualification to the positive assessment.

Familiar relationships supported settling in January 2023. New starters had repeated visits, and children sought comfort from their key person. Staff helped children respond to difficult feelings; friendships included sharing resources and comforting one another.

Independence had everyday applications that January: children prepared fruit for snacks, put on coats for outdoor play and helped tidy up. Staff prompted nose-blowing and subsequent handwashing. Oral-health resources supported discussion, while additional funding paid for packs children could take home, extending that work beyond the setting.

In January 2023, staff used strategies recommended by speech and language therapists. Safeguarding practice included an information board for staff, checks on new employees and teaching children to respond to a whistle during an emergency. These are dated examples of how care and safety were organised.

Henty Rooms provides the Worthing address for this preschool. In January 2023, opening hours were 8.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. That was an opening window rather than a named booking pattern.

The setting received funding in January 2023 for free early education for children aged two, three and four. This describes its participation at that time.

• Challenge within mixed ages. Teaching was not consistently adapted in January 2023, especially for higher achievers. On a visit, ask how activities now give children with different starting points enough challenge.
• Term-time attendance. The January 2023 timetable ended at 2.30pm and followed school terms. What attendance pattern would the preschool offer your child now, and how would that fit your family's working week?

Ladybird's January 2023 provision would suit families seeking play-based preschool experiences with practical independence and communication woven into the day. The garden equipment and oral-health work give that assessment substance. For children ready for greater challenge, adaptation of activities is the important point to explore.