Hillview Under Five's Pre-School Playgroup

Pretend flights, passenger bookings and cabin-crew play gave Hillview's children a lively way to turn familiar experiences into shared stories in September 2023. This Beechwood playgroup has capacity for 22 children, with an emphasis in its inspection-era activities on conversation, imagination and preparation for later learning.

Ofsted rated the playgroup Good on 20 September 2023. Children attending then were aged two to four; the main improvement priorities concerned individual learning targets, helping parents understand those targets and making greater use of children's home languages.

In September 2023, children extended their travel-agent play into an imaginary flight, with staff adding resources to help the story develop. Paint sticks and pencils offered another route into learning: children practised controlled marks and began shaping letters. These were practical opportunities to rehearse storytelling and the movements needed for writing.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, its inspection-era application included learning through imaginative play, books, conversation and hands-on exploration. In September 2023, children compared shapes by counting their sides and connected letters with sounds while recognising their names. Staff read books expressively, while children also chose books to explore independently.

Yoga provided a physical activity in September 2023, alongside sign language, gestures and visual prompts during communication. Open questions encouraged children to offer their own answers. Opportunities to use home languages, however, needed extending for children learning English as an additional language.

At the September 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receiving individualised support coordinated with parents and outside professionals. That combined attention to safety and individual needs was an important part of the judgement.

In September 2023, staff and children had close relationships, and personalised coat pegs helped give children a sense of belonging. Adults listened to children, encouraged polite behaviour and treated them kindly. Staff received training and feedback on their practice, although their knowledge of individual children's learning needed greater precision.

Healthy snacks were provided in September 2023, while parents supplied lunchboxes and received advice on food safety, including cutting grapes into small pieces. Parents received progress updates, but some needed clearer information about what their child should learn next so they could support that learning at home.

The address is Beechwood Avenue, Beechwood, Runcorn, WA7 3HB.

In September 2023, the playgroup operated on weekdays during term time, with sessions running from 8.35am to 3pm. It also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four at that time. This was a term-time attendance pattern rather than an all-year arrangement.

• Individual learning targets. September 2023 improvement priorities included more precise planning and clearer explanations for parents. During a visit, ask how staff now share and review your child's next steps.
• Home languages. In September 2023, children learning English needed more opportunities to hear and use their home languages. Families using another language have a specific curriculum point to discuss.
• Term-time routine. The September 2023 sessions followed the term-time calendar. Establish whether the current attendance arrangement fits your family's week and holidays.

Hillview's September 2023 picture will appeal to families who seek term-time preschool provision built around imaginative play, early writing and conversation. The Good judgement supports that interest, while the learning-target and home-language priorities give families concrete points to weigh. Its strongest examples show everyday experiences becoming purposeful play.