All Saints Pre-School Runcorn

A toppled brick tower captures the character of All Saints Pre-School Runcorn: in March 2024, children helped a friend rebuild his creation, turning a setback into shared play. Cooperation had a practical expression here.

At its 6 March 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the pre-school Good, found safeguarding effective and described effective support and good progress for children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children attending then were aged two to four.

In March 2024, children could choose between learning indoors and an outside play area enhanced through additional funding. Balancing activities and climbing apparatus gave outdoor play a physical purpose. Indoors, squeezing lemons and working herbs into dough exercised hands and fingers.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; in everyday terms, play supports communication, movement and relationships as well as early concepts. In March 2024, painting daffodils prompted conversations about flowers and water, connecting creative activity with new vocabulary.

Mathematics needed more breadth. In March 2024, children encountered shapes, colours and numbers, but opportunities to explore weight and volume were insufficient. These concepts matter alongside counting as children build foundations for later learning.

In March 2024, picture-based communication and visual signing supported listening and attention. Assessments helped staff recognise individual needs, while work with external agencies and the local authority informed tailored learning. This connected everyday observation with additional support.

Sand timers made turn-taking easier to understand in March 2024. During disagreements, staff encouraged children to explain their feelings, giving them a practical way to resolve problems. Children also managed bathroom routines independently.

Staff training informed costume-based superhero play in March 2024, using kindness as a theme for behaviour. Staff development therefore had a visible connection to children's activities rather than remaining separate from the day.

The pre-school is based at the All Saints primary school site on Church Street, Runcorn, WA7 1LD. Attendance at the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place.

In March 2024, the pre-school operated on weekdays during school terms, with sessions running from 8.45am to 11.45am and from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. It provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time.

• Mathematical breadth. Weight and volume were weaknesses in March 2024. On a visit, ask how these concepts now feature in children's play.
• Term-time attendance. The March 2024 pattern comprised two daytime sessions during school terms. How does the current booking pattern fit your family's weekly schedule and school holidays?
• Moving on to school. The pre-school is based at the All Saints primary school site. Attendance does not guarantee a Reception place, so treat childcare and Reception admission as separate decisions.

The March 2024 picture suits families seeking preschool experiences built around communication, cooperative play and growing independence. Its two session windows would suit either morning or afternoon attendance during term time. The strongest practical examples are visual communication tools and purposeful physical play; broader mathematical experiences remain the clear improvement priority from that inspection.