Cherry Tree Preschool Playgroup

A grassy verge, bicycles and tyres gave outdoor play plenty of physical variety at Cherry Tree Preschool Playgroup in July 2025. Based at St Francis Church Hall in Blackburn, the setting has 40 places in total.

At its 9 July 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good progress for children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Two practical weaknesses qualify that assessment: adults sometimes stepped in too quickly, and group activities did not consistently hold younger children's attention.

In July 2025, children chose activities indoors and outside, with learning shaped around their interests. The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, play provided opportunities to develop language, explore numbers and practise physical skills.

Conversations extended beyond quick questions. Staff gave children time to formulate answers and repeated mispronounced words correctly. Sand play prompted predictions about bucketfuls, while preparing snacks brought counting into an everyday task. A tape measure introduced number and size comparisons through practical exploration.

Outside, children negotiated the grassy slope, climbed through tyres and pedalled bicycles. Butterflies in an enclosure also prompted discussion about caring for a creature with an injured wing. These experiences gave children material for movement, observation and conversation.

Circle time and stories were less successful for some younger children in July 2025. Restlessness sometimes displaced participation, limiting what they gained from those activities.

In July 2025, relationships between staff, children and families were warm. Children settled into chosen activities, played together and showed consideration for others. Older children demonstrated how to handle scissors and glue sticks, giving younger children practical examples to follow.

Support for children needing additional help involved cooperation with outside agencies and the implementation of support plans. Staff also encouraged toothbrushing after snacks and used activities to teach oral care, linking daily routines with health.

Regular coaching, training and staff support were in place in July 2025, alongside plans to monitor practice. Committee support and regular volunteers contributed to the setting's work. Independence needed more attention: children managed belongings, handwashing and clearing snack items, but adults sometimes helped before older children had enough opportunity to try for themselves.

The address is St Francis Church Hall, St Francis Road, Blackburn, BB2 2TZ.

In July 2025, children attending were aged two to four. The setting operated during term time, Monday to Friday, with sessions running from 9am to 1pm on Monday and Friday and from 9am to 3pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It provided government-funded early years education at that time.

• Younger children's group activities. In July 2025, some younger children lost interest during stories and circle time. Ask how these routines now accommodate different attention spans.
• Independence before school. Adults sometimes intervened too readily in July 2025. Look for opportunities for older children to attempt everyday tasks themselves.
• Term-time attendance. The July 2025 pattern combined shorter Monday and Friday sessions with longer sessions on the other weekdays. Ask whether that pattern still matches the attendance you need.

Cherry Tree's July 2025 picture suits families who value practical learning through conversation, outdoor movement and cooperative play. Its inspection-era timetable served both shorter sessions and longer daytime attendance during term time. The decision points are concrete: how group routines engage younger children, and how much space older children receive to become independent.