St Peter's Pre-School

A church vestry beside Droitwich Lido Park gives St Peter's Pre-School a recognisable setting, while a parent-led volunteer committee gives families a role beyond their child's daily attendance. This is a preschool with capacity for 18 children. It accepts children from two years and nine months.

At its November 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. The practical choice is between all-day, morning and afternoon attendance during term time, with full and half days able to be combined.

The strongest character comes from play: children choosing activities, staff joining their imaginary worlds and stories becoming conversations. Alongside that positive inspection picture sit two precise development points: using children's next learning steps more consistently and gathering fuller information from parents when children start. Those matter because a child's interests and existing abilities should shape what happens next.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the framework for learning through play, including language, relationships and understanding the surrounding world. Free play sits alongside activities organised by adults, giving children both room to choose and opportunities to try something with guidance.

In November 2023, staff entered children's pretend shop as customers, helping sustain the game rather than simply watching it. Another activity turned Jack and the Beanstalk into an imaginary giant hunt. These examples show how familiar stories and everyday roles could become shared play, with adults helping children keep their ideas going.

Conversation also ran through the day at that time. Familiar stories prompted children to repeat phrases and practise new vocabulary, including a word for the stage between a caterpillar and a butterfly. This gives a clearer picture of language learning than a general promise of school preparation: listening, speaking and understanding developed within activities children enjoyed.

The November 2023 curriculum took account of children's interests and what they needed to learn next. However, those next steps were not consistently used to guide subsequent activities. The distinction is useful for parents: having observations and plans is one part of the work; putting them into daily practice is another.

Outdoor and Community Life

The preschool occupies the church vestry next to St Peter’s Church, alongside Droitwich Lido Park. That describes its surroundings, rather than a programme of park outings. Outdoor play and climbing equipment are among the activities children may use, so practical footwear and clothes that can withstand messy play make sense here.

In November 2023, children waited together before moving to the garden so staff could keep everyone in sight. The July 2027 calendar also includes Sports Day and Preschool Fete on the final day of term, giving families a specific shared event to plan around.

A Key Leader is allocated to each child, providing a named role around which families can build communication. The volunteer committee includes current and former parents, creating another route for families to contribute to the preschool's running.

In November 2023, gentle reminders and encouragement helped children manage behaviour, while staff joined play and supported separation from parents. Updates were shared through an online application and conversations at the day's end. Together, these practices connected what happened during a session with what parents heard afterwards.

The same month's assessment highlighted that staff needed a fuller account of what children could already do when they arrived. Families' knowledge is therefore an important part of the settling conversation, especially where a child's confidence or abilities differ between home and preschool.

Toilet training is not an entry requirement: children in pull-ups are accepted, and staff support toilet use in line with parents' guidance. A changing mat is used in the main toilets, with a screen providing privacy. This makes the arrangement concrete for families whose children are still developing independence.

For children with additional needs, the preschool has experience of working with other professionals, bringing outside expertise into its support arrangements.

Parents are asked to contribute snack foods and fruit each week. The allergy policy asks all families to avoid sending food containing nuts when a child attending has a nut allergy, and families should disclose other allergies; this is a conditional policy rather than an unconditional nut-free claim.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Winslow Vestry, St. Peter's Church Lane, Droitwich, WR9 7AN. Attendance is term-time only. All Day Sessions run from 8.45am to 3.15pm, Morning Sessions from 8.45am to 11.45am, and Afternoon Sessions from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Children may combine full-day and half-day sessions, which allows a shorter preschool pattern alongside longer days.

Children can start from two years and nine months, but those reaching that age in June, July or August may begin in the autumn term. The enquiry form starts the enrolment process; after enrolment is confirmed, families complete the relevant joining paperwork. Leaving before school age requires at least half a term's notice.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is accepted for three- and four-year-olds through both the 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements, and through 15-hour funding for two-year-olds. The preschool's attendance model is term-time. Private childcare is also offered, with current prices obtained in a written quotation.

Families contribute food for snacks, including fruit and bread-based items. A voluntary starting contribution supports a sweatshirt and book bag, while additional clothing can be ordered separately; uniform is optional, and washable everyday clothing is an alternative.

St Peters Primary School is separate from the preschool. Attending St Peter's Pre-School does not automatically qualify a child for Reception there, so families should treat the preschool decision and the school application as separate choices.

• Individual learning plans. In November 2023, children's next steps were not consistently carried into activities, and starting-point information from parents needed more detail. At a visit, ask how home observations now shape a child's first weeks and subsequent planning.
• The term-time pattern. Morning, afternoon and all-day sessions can be mixed, but care follows school terms. Match that pattern against working hours and holiday arrangements before choosing sessions.
• Personal care and allergies. Children in pull-ups are accepted, with screened changing in the main toilets; the nut policy applies when an attending child has a nut allergy. Discuss your child's changing routine and confirm current allergy practice at a visit.
• School expectations. The nearby primary school remains separate, and preschool attendance does not confer automatic Reception entry. Keep school applications distinct from preschool enrolment.

St Peter's suits families seeking term-time preschool with a choice of morning, afternoon and all-day sessions, rather than one fixed attendance pattern. Its vestry setting, parent committee and practical acceptance of children still learning to use the toilet give the offer a clear identity.

The November 2023 judgement provides a positive quality marker, while its development points keep the decision grounded. More consistent use of planned next steps and fuller information from parents remain the development priorities identified at that inspection.