Little Cherubs

The open-space parish hall gives Little Cherubs room for children to move and explore. Personal, social and emotional development was a central emphasis at its May 2023 inspection. Based at St Michael's Parish Hall in Crewe, this preschool serves children aged two, three and four. It has 40 places in total. Its offer centres on the preschool years, rather than baby care.

At the May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated Little Cherubs Good overall, while identifying staff mentoring and more consistent teaching across the group as areas for improvement. That balance matters: there were clear strengths in how children were supported, alongside a specific teaching issue for families to weigh.

Attendance follows school terms, with morning sessions and longer Monday and Thursday options. The timetable makes this a practical choice for families seeking preschool sessions rather than care throughout the school holidays.

The open-plan premises give children room to move and explore. Little Cherubs follows the EYFS, the framework for early learning and care: activities are planned around children's interests and development, with progress assessed and reviewed. For parents, that means play has a learning purpose and planning responds to the individual child.

In May 2023, personal, social and emotional development received considerable attention. Children chose between activities and snacks, while predictable routines helped them understand expectations. Tidying toys became an opportunity to consider how their actions affected their surroundings. These were everyday situations through which children could practise making decisions.

Caterpillars supplied a concrete learning experience in May 2023. Children cared for them and watched their transformation into butterflies; staff introduced vocabulary connected with what children were observing, then used stories to revisit the ideas. This linked a living example with language and listening, rather than treating new words as an isolated exercise.

A parachute game illustrated another connection between areas of learning that month. Movement was combined with counting and words describing position. Children could explore mathematical ideas through a physical activity, giving those ideas something tangible to attach to.

The teaching caveat deserves equal attention. In May 2023, some planned activities became concentrated around children with stronger skills or those needing particular adaptations. Staff mentoring was the improvement priority, with the aim of making teaching work more consistently for the whole group. Families should weigh the engaging examples alongside that concern.

Each child is allocated a Key Person, who helps them become familiar with the setting, tailors care to their needs and builds a relationship with their parents. Development is observed and recorded electronically. This gives settling and communication an identified member of staff, rather than leaving families to establish those relationships informally.

Children aged two, three and four can attend whether or not they are toilet trained. That is a useful practical distinction for families whose child is ready for preschool experiences while still learning this part of self-care.

At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and recognised experienced support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including work with other professionals, curriculum adaptations and help for parents through assessments. For a family considering SEND support, those findings describe mechanisms and experience at that date rather than a promise about an individual child's provision.

In May 2023, staff used consistent behaviour strategies and adjusted their responses after considering what a child's behaviour was communicating. Clear expectations sat alongside that attention to individual needs. School preparation included practising listening and concentrating during shared stories and activities.

Snack and drinks are included in session prices, while lunch carries a separate charge when required. Parents must tell the preschool about dietary allergies; fresh drinking water is accessible throughout the day.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is St Michael's Parish Hall, Ford Lane, Crewe, CW1 3TN. Opening hours run from 8:45am to 12:45pm on weekdays during school terms, extending to 3:15pm on Mondays and Thursdays; school holidays are excluded.

The booking choices include a three-hour morning session, 8:45am to 11:45am, and a four-hour morning session, 8:45am to 12:45pm. On Mondays and Thursdays, the longer day runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm, while afternoon-only attendance runs from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. These are different attendance patterns, so families can compare a shorter morning with a longer day or an afternoon on the extended-opening days.

Joining involves contacting the preschool to add a child's name to its waiting list, with a request to call at least 12 weeks before the intended start. Visits can be arranged with a child. Telephone contact is available on 07817232149, and enquiries can also be made by email at littlecherubsps@gmail.com.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded early education is offered for eligible two-, three- and four-year-olds, including the 15-hour entitlement, within the term-time timetable. Private sessions are also charged according to attendance. Families can obtain current prices in a written quotation from the preschool and use its fees page to understand the charging structure.

Payment is due in full by the end of each week. Fees continue during absence, illness and holidays to retain the child's place, and cancelling or reducing attendance requires one month's notice. These terms matter when comparing the cost of a regular booking with how often a child actually attends.

• Teaching across the group. The May 2023 improvement priority concerned staff mentoring and consistent teaching for children with different needs. During a visit, ask how a shared activity is adapted so that each child can participate.
• A term-time timetable. Longer days and afternoon sessions fall on Mondays and Thursdays, and the preschool closes for school holidays. Match those specific days and closures against your family's care needs before choosing a pattern.
• Starting and settling. The joining process uses a waiting list and requests contact at least 12 weeks before starting. A visit with your child is an opportunity to discuss how the Key Person will help them settle, including any support needs or dietary allergies.
• Continuing payment obligations. Absence does not remove the fee obligation, and reducing attendance requires one month's notice. Allow for those terms when planning changes to work or childcare arrangements.

Little Cherubs suits families seeking a term-time preschool with a choice between short mornings, longer mornings and Monday or Thursday extended days or afternoons. Its open-plan setting and individual Key Person arrangement give the offer a clear shape. The May 2023 findings provide useful detail about SEND support and everyday learning, but the teaching improvement priority remains an important part of that assessment. Families choosing it should be comfortable with the holiday closures and continuing payment terms.