Christ The King Playgroup

In January 2024, conversation, signing and outdoor climbing gave Christ The King Playgroup its character. This Liverpool setting has 25 places in total, with a preschool-age group forming the basis of its January 2024 account. At its 10 January 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the playgroup Good and found safeguarding effective.

At that time, communication support and physical play worked together: visual prompts indoors, a climbing wall and monkey bars outside. These gave children different ways to participate, whether through words, signs or movement.

In January 2024, children learnt British Sign Language alongside spoken conversation, with a visual timetable and boards showing what would happen next. Staff introduced descriptive language and words for position, giving children more precise ways to express themselves.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In the January 2024 daily routine, this took shape through conversation, stories, drawing and active play, with learning planned around what children could already do.

Books and materials for making marks were accessible, and adults read with children across the day. Larger storytelling groups were a weaker point: some sessions lasted too long and involved too many children to sustain everyone's attention.

Outside, January 2024 activities included climbing, balancing and riding bicycles or scooters around obstacles. Children also collected donations for a local food bank, creating a concrete starting point for talking about other people's circumstances. Stories explored different kinds of families, while celebrations reflected festivals relevant to the children.

At the January 2024 inspection, Ofsted found children settled and emotionally secure, with effective SEND support through targeted help, timely referrals and cooperation with outside agencies. These findings matter for families whose children need additional help communicating or participating.

In January 2024, staff helped children name their feelings and manage emotional responses. Sharing and taking turns were part of everyday interactions. Adults gathered information from parents at the start, then gave weekly development updates and suggestions for learning at home, connecting the playgroup's activities with family life.

Staff received supervision each term and had training opportunities in January 2024. However, feedback about their work needed greater precision to help them develop their practice.

The address is Christ The king School, Meadway, Wavertree, Liverpool, L15 7LZ.

In January 2024, the playgroup operated Monday to Friday in term time, with sessions running from 8.55am to 3pm. Children attending then were aged three to four, and funded early education was provided for three- and four-year-olds. This describes the attendance arrangements at that date.

• Group storytelling. In January 2024, longer stories in larger groups lost some children's attention. Ask how storytelling is now organised for children with different attention spans.
• Staff development. In January 2024, feedback to practitioners was not always specific enough to help them improve their knowledge and skills further. More precise coaching was an identified priority.
• Attendance fit. The January 2024 pattern was a term-time session from 8.55am to 3pm. Would the current booking arrangements fit your family's working day?

The January 2024 picture suits families seeking preschool learning with substantial communication support and active outdoor play. Signing, visual prompts and emotional learning give the account useful substance. For families considering a term-time daytime session, it offers a clear starting point, balanced by the need to improve group storytelling and staff feedback.