Barnabees Pre-school

Science experiments, vegetable growing and stories acted out through play gave Barnabees Pre-school a practical character at its February 2022 inspection. At its February 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Those findings describe care and education at that visit.

On Wolverley Road in Kidderminster, the setting has capacity for 40 children aged 24 to 60 months. Its inspection account gives families concrete examples of learning, alongside two priorities: giving children more control over play and helping parents extend learning at home.

In February 2022, children explored a science experiment involving vinegar and soda, then used the vocabulary they had learnt to explain the reaction. This connected hands-on investigation with spoken language. Stories also became material for imaginative play, while counting, comparing and drawing shapes in outdoor soil brought mathematical ideas into everyday activities.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care, linking play with children's developing language, physical skills and independence. In February 2022, staff used observations to plan children's next steps and had adjusted activities to emphasise speech and confidence.

The garden supplied another practical learning opportunity at that visit: children grew fruit and vegetables while learning about healthy living. Bubbles encouraged bending, stretching and jumping; a swing gave children another way to practise movement. However, adults sometimes took too much control of play, leaving less room for children to experiment with their own ideas.

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that children formed close relationships with their key person and made strong progress, including those with special educational needs/disabilities (SEND). These findings connect personal relationships with support for learning.

In February 2022, staff encouraged children to manage everyday tasks, including putting on shoes, and gave discreet toilet reminders. A glitter activity demonstrated how germs spread through touch and why thorough handwashing matters. It made a care routine understandable through a practical example.

Management worked with external professionals at that time and put support plans in place where needed. Communication with families needed greater precision, however: parents did not consistently receive enough detail to build on their child's learning at home.

Barnabees Pre-school's address is Wolverley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 5JN.

In February 2022, it operated on weekdays during term time, with sessions running from 9am to 3.30pm. At that time, it received funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. These arrangements belong to that inspection period.

• Child-led play. Adults sometimes steered activities too closely in February 2022. Look for how children now choose materials and develop their own ideas.
• Learning at home. More detailed parent information was an improvement priority in February 2022. Ask what a typical learning update contains and how it supports activities at home.
• Attendance pattern. The February 2022 sessions were term-time provision. Which current booking pattern would fit your family's week?

Barnabees merits consideration for families seeking preschool-age provision with practical learning experiences. Its February 2022 account combines science, garden activities and growing independence with clear improvement priorities. The most useful judgement is whether today's play and parent communication address those priorities.