Bircotes Pre-School

About this day nursery

Bircotes Pre-School, located in Bircotes, Doncaster, provides a nurturing and caring environment where children aged 2 to 4 years old thrive. The pre-school received a 'Good' rating in its latest Ofsted inspection across all areas: the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Children settle quickly into the daily routine, demonstrating their understanding and confidence. Staff value each child's voice and learning style, offering choices in activities and fostering confident learners who engage for extended periods and make good progress.

The curriculum focuses on individualised support, adapting to diverse learning needs, including those of younger children and those learning English as an additional language. This is exemplified by staff slowing singing pace and using hand movements to help children acquire new vocabulary and even simple sign language.

The pre-school effectively supports children's emotional development by recognising and naming feelings, then redirecting them to learning. Furthermore, leadership and management are proactive in gathering information from parents to tailor support, especially for children with additional needs.

Early identification of communication gaps leads to prompt engagement with speech and language therapists, resulting in noticeable progress for children. Staff skillfully extend children's thinking skills through activities like exploring dinosaurs, encouraging observation, comparison, and research.

Imaginative play is fostered, with children learning new roles and developing an understanding of concepts like value and empathy through activities such as shopkeeping and playing doctor. The pre-school also prioritises physical development, encouraging fine motor skills through safe vegetable chopping and gross motor skills through outdoor activities like riding trikes.

Our ethos

Bircotes Pre-School focuses on individualised support, adapting to diverse learning needs and valuing each child's voice and learning style. They foster confident learners through choices in activities, develop thinking skills through exploration and research, and encourage imaginative play to build concepts like value and empathy. The approach includes tailored support for additional needs, early identification of communication gaps, and skilful extension of children's learning through creative and physical activities.

What it's like

Children benefit from the nurturing and caring relationships staff build with them, settling quickly due to a warm welcome. They confidently demonstrate an understanding of daily routines and engage in chosen activities for long periods, making good progress. Staff value children's input, listen to what they have to say, and recognise diverse learning styles by offering choices such as indoor or outdoor play.