Eckington Under Fives

Weekly forest school and grandparents telling stories give Eckington Under Fives a clear character: outdoor play sits alongside connections between generations. These were features of its March 2025 provision, with children using a slide and trikes and joining community activities.

Ofsted rated the setting Good on 5 March 2025. Based at The Recreation Centre in Eckington, it has 16 places in total; children attending in March 2025 were aged two to four. Its inspection-era attendance pattern was term-time, with a shorter Tuesday.

In March 2025, the curriculum followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, play gave children opportunities to practise language, movement and everyday skills. Staff introduced unfamiliar vocabulary and demonstrated how words and sounds were pronounced.

Outdoor learning had a substantial place in the day. In March 2025, weekly forest school sessions brought learning outdoors on site, while the outdoor space accommodated climbing on the slide and riding trikes. Indoors, changes to resources and planned activities encouraged imaginative play: children made pretend tea in the role-play kitchen, with staff introducing fruit and vegetable names through their conversations.

Community experiences also featured in March 2025. Children decorated a Christmas tree at the local church each year, and grandparents regularly joined as secret storytellers, telling stories. These gave stories and seasonal activities a connection to people beyond the staff team.

At the March 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified clear SEND support processes involving parents and relevant professionals, alongside good progress in children's learning. For families needing additional support, that describes a route involving both home and professional input.

In March 2025, staff selected resources around children's interests to help them settle, and parents received regular updates about interests and progress. Familiar routines included tidying after activities and washing hands before eating. Children also received encouragement while persisting with practical tasks, such as pouring water over dinosaurs in an activity tray.

The address is The Recreation Centre, Pershore Road, Eckington, Pershore, WR10 3AP.

In March 2025, attendance ran Monday to Friday during term time. Sessions lasted from 8.45am to 3.15pm except on Tuesday, when opening ended at midday. Funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-old children at that time.

• The Tuesday finish. In March 2025, Tuesday ended at midday rather than 3.15pm. The shorter day matters for families planning care around work.
• Teaching development. In March 2025, leaders held supervision meetings, but staff development needed more precise direction to take teaching further. This was the improvement priority beneath the Good judgement.
• Planning attendance. How do the current session pattern and funded-hours arrangements fit your family's week? This is the practical question to take to a visit.

Eckington Under Fives suits families drawn to outdoor learning, imaginative play and contact between generations. Its March 2025 provision accommodated both longer term-time days and a shorter Tuesday, rather than one uniform weekly timetable. The Good judgement supports that positive picture, with a specific next step for leaders in sharpening staff development.