Auntie Ro's Playgroup

Play dough, balancing and growing independence give Auntie Ro's Playgroup its character in the February 2022 account of daily life. Children chose their own materials, experimented with mixtures and practised doing things for themselves. The emphasis was on participation: getting involved, making choices and talking with others.

At its 11 February 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the playgroup Good. It has capacity for 40 children and is based on Lewis Road, Chichester, PO20 0RG. Children attending in February 2022 were aged two to four.

In February 2022, the Red Cross Centre's hall in Selsey supported play indoors and outside. The soft-play area gave children opportunities to practise balance and build structures; outdoor equipment encouraged climbing, jumping and running. These were practical ways to explore movement as well as materials.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, the February 2022 examples included choosing blocks and drawing materials, discussing play dough ingredients and practising independence. Children had scope to decide what to use, rather than simply follow an adult's activity.

Box time was an activity used in February 2022 to practise listening and attention. There were also important limits to the learning offer: morning literacy opportunities were less consistent, leaving children who went home at lunchtime with less access, while some activities offered too little challenge for older children. The distinction matters when choosing an attendance pattern.

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and staff knowledgeable about identifying and supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including through activities designed to develop language.

In February 2022, an online system let parents access photographs and updates. Everyday care also involved helping younger children with nose wiping and nappy-change cues, while older children used songs during handwashing. Putting on coats and fastening zips gave children opportunities to practise self-care, with encouragement from staff.

The address is Lewis Road, Chichester, PO20 0RG. In February 2022, the playgroup operated on weekdays during term time, opening from 8.30am to 3.30pm. That historical timetable describes a school-term rhythm rather than an all-year arrangement.

• Morning literacy. In February 2022, children leaving at lunchtime had fewer opportunities to take part in literacy learning. Ask how language and early literacy now feature throughout the morning.
• Challenge for older children. Activities in February 2022 sometimes leaned towards younger children's needs. A visit should explore how tasks are extended for children ready for more demanding learning.
• Attendance fit. The February 2022 timetable was weekday, term-time provision. What attendance arrangements now fit your child's routine and your family's working week?

Auntie Ro's merits consideration for families who value child-led choices, physical play and practical independence. Its February 2022 account gives those priorities concrete substance, from construction and balancing to coat zips and handwashing. The two educational improvement points deserve equal weight: consistent morning literacy and sufficient challenge for older children are the key matters to explore.