Early years · Early years inspection (EIF)
South Milford Pre-School
Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Inspection date verified
15 Jul 2025
- Inspectors verified
Sipra Deb
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Good
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Personal development verified
Good
- Quality of education verified
Good
- Postcode verified
LS25 5AF
- Name on report verified
South Milford Pre-School
- URN verified
2734841
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
Join free to get a short, plain-English summary of any report.
Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- OverallGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Quality of educationGood
79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- Warm, respectful relationships between children and staff help children feel safe and secure. p.2
- valued and well supported in their roles, contributing to a positive and consistent learning environment for children. p.3
- Children thrive in this welcoming and inclusive setting. p.2
- Children enjoy exploring the outdoor space, caring for plants and using natural resources to enhance imaginative play. p.2
- They confidently request favourite songs and join in with enthusiasm, using actions and repeated phrases. p.2
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No strong criticism found.
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
SEND & inclusion2
“Children thrive in this welcoming and inclusive setting.” p.2
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 6
- Words of findings
- 705
- about usual (typical 803)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 45, typical 54
- Average sentence
- 14 words
- Next steps
- 1
- typical 2
- Hedged sentences
- 2%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Inspection of South Milford Pre-School South Millford WI Hall, 71 HIGH STREET, SOUTH MILFORD, Leeds LS25 5AF
p.1
Overall effectiveness Good
The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable
p.1
The provision is good
Children thrive in this welcoming and inclusive setting. They arrive eager to engage and demonstrate high levels of curiosity and confidence in their play and learning. Warm, respectful relationships between children and staff help children feel safe and secure. As a result, children settle quickly and develop a strong sense of belonging.
p.2
The provision is good
The curriculum is rooted in children's interests and enriched through real-life experiences that promote language, independence and emotional development. For example, children confidently sing nursery rhymes, request favourites and giggle with excitement when staff sing at faster speeds. These moments reflect the joy and positive attitudes children have towards learning.
p.2
The provision is good
Children are supported to become increasingly independent and resilient. They manage tasks such as putting on coats, finding their name cards and helping with tidying up. Staff know the children well and use this knowledge to adapt experiences that support individual progress.
p.2
The provision is good
The environment is thoughtfully planned to provide rich opportunities across all areas of learning. Children enjoy exploring the outdoor space, caring for plants and using natural resources to enhance imaginative play. Staff maximise the use of available time to support learning, where every moment is seen as a learning opportunity. The setting has a calm and purposeful atmosphere, where routines are embedded and expectations are clear.
p.2
need to do better?
n Staff plan learning around what children are interested in and what they already know. For example, children who enjoy dinosaurs learn new words, like 'herbivore' during group play. This helps them build their vocabulary and understanding of the world. n Children's communication and language skills are promoted well through daily singing and storytelling. They confidently request favourite songs and join in with enthusiasm, using actions and repeated phrases. This supports their listening, recall and growing vocabulary. n Children benefit from rich language experiences and growing independence, supported by well-structured routines. However, staff do not consistently tailor their interactions or planning to reflect what the youngest children know and can do. As a result, at times, some children are not supported to make the best possible progress. n Children's physical development is promoted well. They take part in a range of
p.2
need to do better?
activities that build strength, coordination and confidence. For example, during
p.2
need to do better?
15 July 2025 sports day practise, staff provide encouragement and support to help children complete hurdles and balancing tasks. This enables all children to join in and succeed. n Additional funding is used effectively to support children who need extra help. For example, children take part in singing songs in different languages and enjoy books about emotions and moving home. These activities help children understand their feelings and promote a sense of inclusion. n Staff have a good understanding of their key children and tailor activities to support their development. Children with additional needs receive appropriate support, enabling them to participate fully in daily routines and group learning. n Mealtimes are used effectively to promote children's independence and understanding of healthy lifestyles. Children confidently manage their packed lunches with minimal support. Staff engage children in conversations about food
p.2
need to do better?
choices and encourage even the youngest children to do things for themselves. This helps to build self-care skills and prepare them well for future learning. n Partnership with parents is strong. They feel well informed and involved in their child's learning. Parents appreciate regular updates through daily conversations, emails and newsletters. Many praise the setting for helping their child settle quickly, develop speech and gain confidence. n Staff understand their responsibilities to keep children safe and know how to respond to any concerns about a child's welfare. The setting provides effective induction and training to ensure all staff are confident in safeguarding procedures. n Leaders have a clear vision for the setting and work closely with staff to ensure high-quality care and education. They provide regular training and promote reflective practice. Staff morale is high due to effective leadership. Staff feel
p.3
need to do better?
valued and well supported in their roles, contributing to a positive and consistent learning environment for children.
p.3
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
p.3
Safeguarding
There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.
p.3
should:
n support staff to further strengthen their understanding of child development, so that interactions and expectations are consistently matched to the individual needs of the youngest children.
p.3
Setting details
Unique reference number 2734841 Local authority North Yorkshire Inspection number 10404872 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care
p.4
inspection
Total number of places 44 Number of children on roll 32 Name of registered person South Milford Preschool LTD
p.4
reference number
Telephone number 07720535909 Date of previous inspection Not applicable
p.4
Information about this early years setting
South Milford Pre-School registered with the current provider in 2023. It is situated in South Milford, North Yorkshire. The pre-school employs four members of childcare staff, including the managers. All staff hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 3 and the manager also has a level 6 qualification. The pre- school opens from 9.15am to 12.45pm on Monday and 9.15am to 2.15pm Tuesday to Friday, during North Yorkshire's school term-times only. The pre-school provides funded early education for children.
p.4
Inspection activities
n The inspector viewed all areas and discussed with the manager how these areas are used. n The manager and the inspector evaluated the effectiveness of an activity together. n The inspector observed the children and staff and spoke with them at appropriate times during the inspection. n Parents shared their views of the provision with the inspector. n The inspector reviewed relevant documentation, including suitability checks and paediatric first-aid qualifications. n The inspector discussed safety and child protection procedures with the manager and safeguarding with members of the staff team.
p.5
Inspection activities
We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.
p.5
Inspection activities
15 July 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.
p.5
Inspection activities
If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .
p.6
Inspection activities
You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/ , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk
p.6
Inspection activities
Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .
p.6
Inspection activities
T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted
p.6
Discuss this inspection
Members compare notes on inspectors and inspections here. Join free to read and post.
Join the discussion