Our Lady & St Huberts Playgroup

At its September 2025 inspection, family photographs, a body map and children managing their own packed lunches illustrated Our Lady & St Huberts Playgroup's emphasis on familiarity and independence. It has capacity for 25 children on Hallfield Road in Great Harwood, Blackburn.

At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised successful support and progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children attending at that time were aged two to four. The strongest practical themes were settling, communication and self-care, with sharper learning targets and broader everyday representation of diversity needed.

In September 2025, family pictures, children's photographs and displays reflecting their interests personalised the rooms. Organised learning areas gave children opportunities to explore, while wake and shake combined songs with actions. The colour monster helped children put feelings into words. These were concrete ways to connect movement, language and emotional awareness.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. In September 2025, this took practical form in activities such as mapping the body: children named organs, then considered where the heart and brain belonged. The conversation took familiar vocabulary into more detailed discussion.

Self-care also featured in the September 2025 day. Children poured drinks, washed their hands and changed footwear between outdoor and indoor play. Managing personal belongings gave them responsibility within ordinary routines.

In September 2025, settling sessions helped children become familiar with the routine, and staff built close relationships with them. When disagreements arose, adults demonstrated calm responses and helped children manage their reactions. The emphasis was on learning how to respond, alongside expectations about taking turns and listening.

Individual support in September 2025 included visual schedules, communication aids and now and next boards. Staff involved external professionals and put their advice into practice, giving children concrete prompts for understanding activities and communicating needs.

Parents contributed information about home interests and learning targets in September 2025. An online system and daily discussions provided routes for sharing updates, so planning could draw on children's lives beyond the playgroup.

The address is Hallfield Road, Great Harwood, Blackburn, BB6 7SN. In September 2025, opening hours were 8am to 5pm across five days each week, during term time.

At that time, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. Children brought packed lunches and took responsibility for managing them at mealtimes, extending the day's emphasis on independence.

• Learning targets. In September 2025, some next steps lacked sufficient challenge, with learning sometimes slower for part-time children. Ask how staff select the next skill for your child and maintain momentum across their attendance pattern.
• Everyday diversity. In September 2025, celebrations introduced different cultures, but books and resources representing diversity and disability were not consistently used in teaching. Everyday representation matters alongside festival activities.
• Planning attendance. The September 2025 opening pattern was term-time only. What attendance arrangements and funded-hours terms would apply to your family now?

This playgroup merits consideration for families who value practical independence and close communication with staff. Its September 2025 day combined personal displays, movement routines and conversational learning with concrete support tools. The balance to weigh is clear: familiar routines and individual support, alongside the need for more precise learning targets and diversity woven more consistently into daily activities.