Marsden Pre-School Playgroup

Shape-filled learning bags, independent snack choices and children moving between indoor and outdoor activities give Marsden Pre-School Playgroup its character in the October 2022 account. Practical independence runs through that picture. At its 12 October 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the playgroup Good and found safeguarding effective.

The setting has capacity for 28 children. In October 2022, it catered for children aged two to four, with term-time morning and afternoon sessions and a lunch club.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the October 2022 examples show learning through play, conversation and everyday tasks. Children explored shapes inside and outdoors, while staff introduced mathematical vocabulary during activities. The learning continued at home through bags containing shapes.

In October 2022, children could choose activities on either side of the indoor-outdoor boundary. They poured drinks, selected snacks and washed their hands, giving everyday routines a practical purpose. Music and instruments supported language during group time and conversations, with staff adjusting their language for individual children.

The Three Little Pigs was the book being explored in October 2022, with dressing-up and imaginative play extending the story. Books were concentrated in the book area, however. Improving access elsewhere, alongside more outdoor opportunities involving letters and literacy, were the two development priorities.

In October 2022, introductory information helped staff establish what children already knew, and weekly team discussions considered their next learning steps. Parents received learning updates and questionnaires invited their suggestions. Home-learning bags gave families a concrete activity to share with their child.

Children also made space for different needs: in October 2022, one child waited while a friend used a dark den. Staff modelled sharing and taking turns. These examples make the care arrangements tangible, rather than reducing them to a general promise.

Recruitment checks, risk assessments for outings and refresher training formed part of the safeguarding arrangements in October 2022. Staff knew how to recognise and report concerns and worked with other professionals.

The address is Lakeside, Marsden, Huddersfield, HD7 6AE.

In October 2022, attendance followed the school terms. Morning sessions ran from 8.45am to 11.30am, Monday to Friday; afternoon sessions ran from 12.45pm to 3.30pm, Monday to Thursday. A weekday lunch club ran from 11.30am to 12.45pm, providing a separate midday pattern alongside the sessions.

In October 2022, the playgroup provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. That is a dated funding offer, rather than a guarantee of a funded place for an individual child.

• Books and outdoor literacy. The October 2022 development priorities concerned access to books beyond the book area and opportunities involving letters outdoors. During a visit, ask how both now feature in children's play.
• Term-time session planning. The October 2022 timetable combined weekday mornings, afternoons on Monday to Thursday and lunch club. Does the current attendance and funding arrangement fit your child's age and your working week?

The October 2022 picture suits families interested in morning or afternoon sessions, with lunch club as another attendance option. Its strongest practical examples connect independence, language and mathematical play with activities parents can continue at home. Wider access to books and outdoor literacy remain the dated development points to explore.