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St Mark's Preschool

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2021)
·
3.3(3 parent reviews) ·St. Marks Church & Community Centre, Calder Rise, Bedford, MK41 7UY · Bedford
Number of places
56 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2021
Local authority
Bedford

About this day nursery

St Mark's Church Preschool operates as a non-profit charity, boasting over 40 years of experience in early childhood education. Situated within the St Mark's Church Community Centre, the preschool provides a secure and nurturing setting where children can thrive and cultivate their skills and knowledge.

The facility offers all-day care for children from two years old up to school age, operating 47 weeks a year, from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm. The preschool prides itself on its highly qualified and experienced teaching staff, who maintain a favourable teacher-to-child ratio.

Recognising the unique nature of each child, the preschool develops individual learning plans to foster personal growth and maximise potential. St Mark's was rated 'Good in all areas' by Ofsted in November 2021, with particular commendation for its comprehensive family support and welcoming environment.

Our ethos

St Mark's Preschool prides itself on developing individual learning plans for each child, recognising their unique nature to foster personal growth and maximise potential. The preschool focuses on providing a secure and nurturing setting where children can thrive and cultivate their skills and knowledge, guided by highly qualified and experienced staff. Ofsted commended the preschool for its comprehensive family support and welcoming environment, highlighting the joy children experience.

What it's like

Children form strong bonds with their key persons and other members of staff. The youngest children enjoy moving toys and equipment around their large playroom, negotiating obstacles as they confidently carry objects, which helps promote their physical development. Staff ask children questions to help them find out what children remember and already know about the natural world around them, enabling staff to help children to consolidate existing knowledge and extend their learning at their own pace.

Charity-runAll-day careExperienced staffIndividual learning plans

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around either full-day care or individual morning and afternoon sessions. Parents can also book separate breakfast, lunch, and tea-time sessions. Full-day care includes all meals, whereas individual sessions require meals to be purchased separately.

Good to know

  • All-day care includes breakfast, lunch, and tea.
  • Individual morning and afternoon sessions can be booked alongside separate meal sessions.

Key facts

Opening hours

7:30 am - 6:00 pm, 47 weeks a year

Age range

2 years to school age

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for St Mark's Preschool

Last inspected 4 November 2021

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children form strong bonds with their key persons and other members of staff. The youngest children enjoy moving toys and equipment around their large playroom, negotiating obstacles as they confidently carry objects, which helps promote their physical development. Staff ask children questions to help them find out what children remember and already know about the natural world around them, enabling staff to help children to consolidate existing knowledge and extend their learning at their own pace.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff find out what children can already do and what they enjoy playing with when they first join the pre-school.
  • The manager and staff hold regular meetings to plan and develop the curriculum.
  • Staff use a flexible approach to help new children settle in to the pre-school.
  • Children behave well and respond positively to staff requests and instructions.
  • Staff help children celebrate the differences and similarities in their own lives compared to others.

Areas to develop

  • 1review and develop further the organisation of resources, indoors and outdoors, so they can be easily and spontaneously accessed by children to support their independent play and learning
  • 2encourage staff to give children more time to work out how to do things for themselves, solve problems and to think about what might happen next.
Inspection #10208629 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff work very closely with health professionals, who have links to the pre-school. Members of the health visitor team meet with parents and key persons to discuss children's development and any issues that may have an impact on children's progress. This helps staff and parents work together to build on what children already know and can do in the most effective way.

Outdoor space

Children remind each other, and visitors, where they need to walk when they go to feed goldfish in a pond within the grounds. They take time to smell and feel herbs, such as rosemary, and talk about the changes they notice in leaves, berries and tree bark. Children are keen to learn and confidently select activities that they enjoy and interest them, however, children cannot always easily see or find the resources they need to complete a task, especially in the garden, which hinders their full potential.

Parent Reviews of St Mark's Preschool

3.3
(3)
ellieruggeri
2 years ago

The staff really looked after my little boy and offered wellbeing support as soon as we all realised he might have additional needs. I recommend St Marks Preschool.

Read on Google
DAVE Digital and Vinyl Expert
2 years ago

I couldn't pick a better place for my child. The staff have been amazing and i am so happy he got to experience this whole environment.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for St Mark's Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: November 2021

  • December 2021Good
  • November 2021Good

Frequently asked about St Mark's Preschool

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more