Castle Playgroup

At its June 2025 inspection, playdough recipes, children designing obstacle courses and remembrance poppies illustrated Castle Playgroup's practical learning and community participation. Based at The Hut in Kirby Muxloe, it has capacity for 24 children aged two to five.

At its June 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that adapted teaching and collaboration with parents and outside agencies supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) well. The improvement priorities were more precise starting information for children learning English as an additional language and stronger adult support during spontaneous play.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday routines become opportunities to build language, independence and physical skills.

In June 2025, children followed recipes to make playdough, explored scents and joined stories and songs with words and actions. These activities gave language a practical purpose. Choosing how to construct an obstacle course also gave children opportunities to make decisions rather than simply follow instructions.

Physical play had several forms in June 2025. Alongside the outdoor space, soft play equipment supported climbing, jumping and balance indoors; pegging doll clothes onto a washing line exercised the smaller hand movements used in early writing.

Community participation extended the experience beyond play activities. In June 2025, examples included singing at a Christmas event and making remembrance poppies for a community display, giving children ways to contribute to shared occasions.

In June 2025, settling involved parents working alongside staff, while children turned to their key person for comfort and help. That relationship gave children a familiar adult as they adjusted to the setting.

Everyday independence received practical attention in June 2025: children cut bananas with safety knives, washed their hands before eating and received sensitive help with toilet training. Conversations during meals and encouragement to brush teeth connected self-care with health.

Communication also supported continuity in June 2025. Parents received information about learning and ways to help at home, while staff passed information to schools when children moved on. The emphasis was on carrying knowledge of the child into the next stage.

Castle Playgroup's address is The Hut, Kirby Muxloe Village Hall, Station Road, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, LE9 2EN.

In June 2025, the playgroup operated Monday to Friday during term time, with sessions running from 8.45am to 3pm. Separate out-of-school sessions ran from 7.30am to 8.30am and from 3pm to 6pm; those hours described the out-of-school provision rather than an extended preschool day.

In June 2025, funded early education was offered for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• English as an additional language. In June 2025, starting information did not consistently give staff enough detail to support learning. Families using another language at home should discuss how that information is gathered during settling.
• Child-led play. In June 2025, adult input sometimes missed opportunities to develop children's learning during spontaneous play. This matters alongside the more purposeful support seen in planned activities.
• Attendance arrangements. The June 2025 preschool session and separate out-of-school hours served different purposes. Which current attendance pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your child's age and your working day?

Castle Playgroup suits families drawn to practical learning and participation in village life. Its June 2025 picture combines hands-on independence, close key-person relationships and school transition communication. The two improvement priorities deserve attention, especially for families whose children are learning English alongside another language.