Berry Brow Pre-School Playgroup

Vegetable soup-making, dinosaur water play and a telescope trained on a castle gave Berry Brow Pre-School Playgroup a practical, playful character in November 2024. Language ran through these experiences, with staff introducing vocabulary through children's interests rather than separating talk from play.

Ofsted rated the playgroup Good at its 27 November 2024 inspection. It has capacity for 24 children; those attending in November 2024 were aged two to four. The setting is based at Newsome South Methodist Church in Berry Brow, Huddersfield.

In November 2024, the early years foundation stage provided the framework for children's learning and care: play brought together conversation, counting, practical skills and growing independence. Dinosaurs in water play prompted vocabulary about pouring and emptying. Preparing vegetables and blending soup connected pretend domestic play with real ingredients and equipment.

Mathematics appeared in everyday activities, including counting children and recognising shapes. Name cards helped children move from identifying a coloured shape to recognising letters and their own names. This gave different starting points for joining in.

Outdoor experiences that November included cycling along a path, searching for minibeasts and mixing in the mud kitchen. A slide and telescope added climbing and looking towards the castle on the hill. These offered different reasons to move, investigate and talk, although equal outdoor access in different weather needed attention.

Children also exercised small choices: whether to wave or clap during a greeting song, for example. Staff joined play with puppets and instruments, using sounds to encourage interaction.

At the November 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, warm relationships between staff and children, and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities that enabled participation and progress.

In November 2024, visual cards, eye contact and input from specialists helped staff adapt activities to children's needs. Encouragement around handwashing supported independence, while consistent reminders about sharing and taking turns made expectations easier to understand.

Communication with families that November included directing parents towards advice and support, and children taking books home to enjoy together. Staff discussed their wellbeing with leaders and contributed to reviewing practice, including changes for safety and learning. Training, however, needed to be more closely matched to staff development needs.

The address is Newsome South Methodist Church, Birch Road, Berry Brow, Huddersfield, HD4 7LP.

In November 2024, attendance was term-time only, Monday to Friday, with sessions running from 8.30am to 3.15pm. Government-funded childcare was offered at that time. This was a weekday, term-time pattern rather than a year-round arrangement.

• Outdoor access. In November 2024, children enjoyed cycling, minibeast searches and the mud kitchen, but equal access in all weather needed improvement. On a visit, ask how children now use the outdoors when conditions change.
• Staff development. Training needed closer tailoring in November 2024. How has subsequent training changed children's daily experiences?
• Term-time planning. The November 2024 sessions followed a term-time weekday pattern. Families needing holiday care should weigh that attendance model against their working calendar.

Berry Brow's November 2024 picture suits families drawn to practical play, everyday conversation and opportunities for children to make choices. Its term-time sessions offered a clear weekday pattern. The outdoor-access and staff-training recommendations deserve attention alongside the positive account of relationships and inclusion.