Co-operative Play and Learn

Training fields, freely chosen indoor or outdoor play, and daily toothbrushing give Co-operative Play and Learn a clear character. This Birstall preschool combines space for active play with practical habits children can use at home. Its base is the Co-op Sports and Social Grounds on Birstall Road, Leicester, LE4 4DE, with capacity for 25 children aged two to five.

At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good across all areas and judged safeguarding effective. The strongest practical attractions today are the direct connection between the playroom and sheltered outdoor space, an allocated keyworker, and learning packs that extend activities into family life. Morning, afternoon and full-day attendance are offered during term time.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: children learn through play, conversation, movement and experiences that build independence. Here, children choose resources for themselves, while adults also bring them together for structured activities. That balance gives them room to pursue an interest and practise listening to others.

Fun Time consists of short activities led by adults to develop communication and listening. Balloon Pop is one example: children compete to inflate a balloon until it bursts. Music and Movement uses instruments, dancing and sensory materials, including feathers and stretch fabrics, so participation can involve movement as well as speech. Claves and other percussion instruments introduce differences in rhythm, tempo and volume.

The routine includes two adult-led learning sessions each day, alongside repeated opportunities for freely chosen play. Singing, books, role play and art give children different ways to join in. These are concrete activities rather than a separate branded curriculum, and their value lies in the variety of ways children can explore an idea.

In June 2023, play also involved practical problem-solving. Children assembled a helicopter using nuts and bolts, working out how to let its propeller turn. An adult helped children explore contrasting light levels inside a barrel. Those examples show learning arising from something a child is already doing, rather than every activity beginning with an instruction.

Outdoor and Community Life

A partially enclosed outdoor area connects straight to the indoor playroom. Children can choose between the two, and shelter makes outdoor play possible in changing weather. The mud kitchen, sand area and den making provide different kinds of hands-on play; balancing beams and access to the training fields add opportunities for movement.

Nature Play brings tactile materials into activities, including leaves, water and seasonal ingredients such as pumpkins. Growing and planting sit alongside painting and music outdoors. For a child who prefers making, moving or investigating to sitting in a group, this creates several ways into the day.

In June 2023, children explored herbs and pinecones and watched a beetle beside a small pond with staff support. They also used the field for running and group games after lunch. These are dated examples of how the grounds supported curiosity and exercise, rather than a promise of an identical daily programme now.

Relationships and Communication

Each child has an allocated keyworker who arranges parent conversations every term about development, learning and wellbeing. Learning packs are available for families who want to continue activities at home, and parents can contribute to planning. This gives communication a regular structure while leaving home activities a choice.

In June 2023, staff made time for daily conversations with parents and comforted children who needed longer to settle. Independence was practised in ordinary tasks: pouring drinks, washing hands, putting on shoes and fastening coats. These small routines matter because children can use the same skills beyond preschool.

Parents can also participate in activities, including reading to children for world book day and joining sports activities. The emphasis is on sharing part of the preschool experience, rather than limiting involvement to a progress discussion.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The deputy manager holds both the SENCO and safeguarding lead roles. A quiet, cosy area gives children somewhere to rest or withdraw from a busy activity, including while adjusting to preschool. That is a useful physical provision for a child who needs a pause before joining in again.

Healthy Teeth Happy Smiles, a campaign promoting children's oral health, is part of the daily routine through toothbrushing. Health habits therefore have a practical place in the day. Families can also use a guide to fussy eating, with suggestions such as eating together and involving children in preparing food.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted identified two weaknesses in group activities: quieter children needed more chances to contribute, and storytelling did not sustain every child's interest. Both matter for children who are less likely to volunteer an answer. The strengths of freely chosen play should be weighed alongside how well adults include those children when everyone comes together.

Sessions and Attendance

Attendance is term-time only. Full Day runs from 9am to 3pm, Morning from 9am to noon, and Afternoon from noon to 3pm. Additional paid hours can extend a funded booking within the opening window, allowing families to combine entitlement hours with private childcare.

Opening hours changed from 1 September 2026 to 8.30am to 4.30pm. These hours are separate from the named session choices. Families needing the edges of the day should pay particular attention to how additional hours fit around their chosen session.

Payments are taken at the end of the month for the hours attended. There are no upfront fees or illness fees. Enquiries can be made through the contact form, by telephone on 07443606287 or by email at cooperativeplayandlearn@gmail.com.

Getting There

The preschool occupies the Co-op Sports and Social Grounds, Birstall Road, Birstall, Leicester, LE4 4DE. Free parking is provided at the front, which is useful for families combining attendance with other journeys.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered on a term-time basis. The entitlements described are 15 weekly hours over 38 weeks for eligible two-year-olds, 15 weekly hours over 38 weeks for three- and four-year-olds, and 30 weekly hours over 38 weeks for eligible working families with children aged three or four. Eligibility conditions apply, so these descriptions are not a guarantee of funding for an individual family.

Parents supply a healthy packed lunch, while snacks and drinks are free; the same lunch arrangement applies during funded attendance. Eat Better Start Better guides snack and mealtime choices, with food occasions also used for children and staff to socialise.

Yoga is an optional activity charged separately. Additional private hours are also charged separately from funded entitlement. The fees and funding page explains the charge structure; obtain a current written quotation for the intended attendance pattern.

• Friday collection. The September 2026 change gives an opening window of 8.30am to 4.30pm, while the accompanying hours retain Friday as 9am to 4pm. This remains a conflict: confirm Friday arrangements before relying on either end of the day.
• Quieter children in groups. In June 2023, opportunities to speak and engagement with group stories needed improvement. During a visit, ask how adults now draw less-vocal children into discussion and adapt storytelling when attention slips.
• Packed lunches and dietary needs. Lunch comes from home and snacks are provided without an extra charge. Families managing allergies should discuss current snack practice and packed-lunch arrangements before attendance begins.

Co-operative Play and Learn suits families seeking term-time morning, afternoon or full-day sessions, especially those who value freely chosen outdoor play and practical independence. The linked playroom and sheltered outdoor area, access to training fields, and regular keyworker conversations give the offer substance.

The June 2023 findings leave a specific question about participation in group activities, especially for quieter children. Friday hours also need resolving for families relying on the extended opening window. With those points addressed, the strongest reasons to choose this preschool are its usable outdoor space, flexible session choices and everyday links between learning and home.