Crag Bank Under Fives

Counting friends, exploring ice and sharing familiar stories gave Crag Bank Under Fives a practical, playful character in November 2023. Based at Crag Bank Village Hall, the setting has capacity for 30 children aged 24 to 60 months. Its community connections add another reason to consider it.

At the 15 November 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found that children made good progress. The important qualification concerned conversation: children needed more opportunities to work out answers themselves, with enough time to respond.

The November 2023 language activities paired a word of the week for younger children with a book of the week for the older group. These gave language activities different starting points according to age. Daily counting also used the children themselves, both during the register and in circle activities, making mathematics part of familiar routines.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the November 2023 activities connected those purposes through play: children used hammers to release plastic animals from ice, and handled tools to pour and scoop sand. There was something concrete to investigate, rather than simply an instruction to follow.

Outdoor experiences included a climbing frame in November 2023, with children considering how high they could climb. Community outings and charity fundraising extended their experiences beyond the setting. An optician also visited when children began wearing glasses, connecting an unfamiliar experience with someone who could help explain it.

In November 2023, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and identified strong work with parents and other professionals, including timely referrals for additional support. Staff shared information about children's development and ideas for learning at home, giving families practical ways to continue activities between sessions.

Relationships had a visible everyday role in November 2023: children sought comfort from familiar adults, and staff recognised achievements such as independent toileting. Discussions about sharing encouraged children to consider another child's feelings. Care and learning were closely connected in these ordinary exchanges.

School preparation also involved contact between adults in November 2023. Teachers visited to meet children and discuss their developmental needs with staff. Healthy snacks and conversations about oral health formed part of the day too.

Crag Bank Under Fives operates from Crag Bank Village Hall, Jesson Way, Crag Bank, LA5 9EG. Opening hours are 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Thursday, during term time; the setting closes for school holidays. That calendar matters for families planning care around work throughout the year.

In November 2023, the setting provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation fact, rather than a promise of a particular funded arrangement for an individual child.

• Conversation and thinking. In November 2023, some questions gave children too little scope to develop their own answers, and adults sometimes moved on too quickly. On a visit, look for time to think and opportunities for children to explain their ideas.
• The working week. Opening runs from Monday to Thursday in term time. Families needing Friday or school-holiday care will need arrangements that cover those periods.
• Funded attendance and everyday costs. Funded early education was offered in November 2023. What would your child's attendance arrangement cover, including food and consumables?

Crag Bank Under Fives suits families seeking term-time care within a Monday-to-Thursday week. Its November 2023 strengths lay in practical play, family communication and connections with professionals. The language-development improvement point deserves attention alongside those strengths: the best conversation gives children room to think as well as listen.