Little Badgers Pre School

Minibeasts in the soil and vegetables turned into soup give Little Badgers Pre School a concrete, hands-on character in its April 2024 account of daily life. This York setting has capacity for 18 children and is based at Badger Hill Primary School, Crossways.

At its April 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised good progress for children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children attending then were aged three to four. The strengths were accompanied by two clear improvement priorities: sharper staff development and fewer interruptions to children's play.

In April 2024, children's interests shaped activities: a fascination with small creatures prompted digging and exploration in the garden. Large outdoor equipment offered climbing opportunities, while dancing indoors added another way to move. Play dough and puzzles gave children practice using their hands with control.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2024 examples show learning through practical play: children compared quantities in containers, explored cars travelling along ramps and practised counting with adults. Mathematical ideas had something tangible attached to them.

Books also extended children's interests. In April 2024, practitioners used information books, stories, songs and rhymes, and introduced vocabulary during activities and play. Parents visited to share traditions and talk about their countries, bringing family experiences into children's understanding of other communities.

In April 2024, children had close relationships with practitioners, who listened patiently and helped them talk about feelings. Adults demonstrated courteous behaviour at snack time. Everyday independence mattered too: children practised pouring and fastening their coats rather than having adults do everything for them.

Support involved cooperation with parents and portage workers in April 2024, and a special educational needs coordinator contributed to the inspection. These are concrete mechanisms for bringing information about an individual child into their care.

Food had a practical learning role in April 2024: children grew vegetables, harvested them and tasted soup made from them. The setting supplied healthy snacks, while parents provided packed lunches and were encouraged to choose healthy food.

The address is Badger Hill Primary School, Crossways, York, YO10 5JF. Being based at a primary school does not guarantee a Reception place.

In April 2024, attendance was during term time, Monday to Friday. Session times were 9am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 9am to midday on Wednesday and Friday. Those shorter days are a material consideration for families planning care around work.

Funded early education for three- and four-year-olds was provided in April 2024. That dated offer should be kept separate from a family's individual funding arrangements.

• Time to sustain play. In April 2024, frequent group gatherings broke up children's activities. On a visit, ask how the day now gives children longer to pursue an interest.
• Staff development. April 2024 monitoring did not pinpoint practitioners' development needs precisely enough. Ask how observations now lead to specific changes in teaching.
• Your attendance pattern. The April 2024 timetable combined longer sessions with mornings ending at midday. Ask how your intended days and funded hours fit the current booking arrangements.

Little Badgers suits families drawn to practical preschool learning, from garden exploration to counting through play. Its April 2024 timetable served both longer daytime sessions and shorter mornings during term time. The dated Good judgement provides a useful starting point, with the organisation of uninterrupted play and staff development the clearest matters to explore.