Playfit St Marys

A vote for the next story and discoveries in a forest area give Playfit St Marys its character: children had a say in their day and opportunities to explore outdoors in October 2022. Ofsted rated the setting Good at its 11 October 2022 inspection, while identifying a need for clearer learning intentions for individual children.

Based at Manor House Centre in Leicester, the setting has capacity for 40 children. The children attending in October 2022 were aged 2 to 11; that inspection covered preschool provision alongside care before and after school.

In October 2022, children chose between books by placing a token beside their preferred story. Staff then read expressively, answered questions and helped children accept the group's decision. This gave children practice in making choices, listening and taking turns.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care. Here, the October 2022 examples included conversation during play, shared stories and exploration outside: everyday activities were opportunities to build language and understanding.

In the forest area that month, children discovered mushrooms and gathered natural materials, including feathers and twigs. Staff discussed plants and possible hazards, connecting curiosity with learning about safety. Food tasting and discussions about religious celebrations also drew on the experiences of children attending the setting.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including cooperation with other agencies and resources bought with additional funding and shared with families.

In October 2022, each child had a key person, and staff learnt about individual needs before assessing learning. That sequence helped connect settling with planning the child's next steps. A speech and language therapist had also delivered staff training on supporting early communication.

Low-level sinks supported independence that month: children could operate taps and use soap themselves. Parents received updates through an online journal, conversations and newsletters, giving them several ways to follow their child's experiences.

The address is Manor House Centre, Haddenham Road, Leicester LE3 2BG.

In October 2022, preschool operated on weekdays in term time, with sessions running from 9am to 3pm. Before-school care ran from 7.30am to 9am and after-school care from 3pm to 6pm; this provision operated in term time and during the Easter and summer holidays.

At that date, preschool provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. These attendance and funding arrangements describe October 2022 provision.

• Individual learning. In October 2022, staff did not consistently identify what each child should learn from an activity. Ask how practitioners now choose and review individual learning intentions.
• Preschool and school-age care. The October 2022 provision served children aged 2 to 11. On a visit, how are preschool experiences organised alongside care for older children?
• Attendance and funding. The October 2022 model combined term-time preschool with before- and after-school care. Which current attendance patterns and funded arrangements would fit your family?

Playfit St Marys suits families interested in the combination of term-time preschool and before- or after-school care described in October 2022. Its strongest inspection-era examples are concrete: children choosing stories, exploring the forest area and using accessible sinks independently. The balancing point is equally clear: activities needed sharper intentions for individual children's learning.