Immanuel Preschool Playgroup

In September 2025, colour mixing, balance beams and growing fruit and vegetables gave Immanuel Preschool Playgroup a practical, hands-on character. Its home is Immanuel Church Hall in Hollywood, Birmingham, and it has capacity for 24 children.

At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good overall, while identifying curriculum planning and notification of management changes as matters needing attention. Children attending then were aged two to four. The distinction matters: engaging activities were a strength, but their learning purpose needed sharper planning.

In September 2025, children explored paint colours indoors and outside, tackled an assault course and practised balancing on beams. These experiences brought creative exploration and physical practice into the same day. Outdoors, a water butt supplied filling and pouring activities, while the mud kitchen and fruit and vegetable growing added further opportunities to experiment.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the September 2025 examples included learning through practical play, conversation and everyday tasks: children poured drinks at snack time and practised sharing resources.

Activities drew on children's interests, including their curiosity about colours. However, in September 2025, the curriculum was organised more around activities than a sequence of individual learning steps. Staff sometimes missed opportunities to stretch children with different abilities. Developing the new curriculum and making each activity's intended learning clearer were the two improvement priorities.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, children with SEND well supported through work with families and external agencies, and staff-child conversations a strength that helped communication develop. Picture cards helped children participate, giving a concrete example of how support worked.

In September 2025, staff knew their key children closely, listened to their ideas and encouraged them to express feelings. Predictable routines helped children understand the day's sequence. Parents could discuss progress at meetings during the year, and staff sought their views and shared learning information.

Handwashing followed outdoor play and toilet use. Staff also helped families make healthier lunchbox choices through a local healthy-eating initiative. Leaders worked alongside practitioners and gave feedback on their practice, with training supporting staff development.

The address is Immanuel Church Hall, Highters Heath Lane, Hollywood, Birmingham, B14 4TG.

In September 2025, the playgroup operated on weekdays during term time, with sessions running from 9am to 3pm. Funded early education was provided for eligible children at that date. This was a term-time attendance model, so the holiday calendar matters for families planning care across the year.

• Learning beyond activities. In September 2025, individual learning sequences and the level of challenge needed development. Look for how an engaging activity connects to a child's next step.
• Management notifications. In September 2025, changes to management and the telephone number had not been notified to Ofsted, breaching requirements; alternative communication meant children were unaffected. This remains a relevant administrative concern alongside the Good judgement.
• Term-time planning. The September 2025 session pattern was 9am to 3pm on weekdays during term time. At a visit, what attendance arrangements now apply to your child's intended start?

Immanuel's September 2025 picture suits families seeking term-time preschool sessions with practical outdoor play and close staff-child conversation. The water activities, growing projects and opportunities for independence give substance to that appeal. Curriculum sequencing and clearer challenge are the points to weigh alongside it.