Rosie and Jim's at Anfield Pre-school

Natural materials, a purpose-built sensory room and an outdoor area children can use throughout the day give Rosie and Jim's at Anfield Pre-school its clearest character. Exploration is central to the offer: children use natural resources for exploration and investigation. The combination gives families both outdoor space and a separate sensory environment to weigh when choosing care.

At its 12 July 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and recognised good progress and strong support for children with special educational needs and disabilities. That is a dated assessment. Its two improvement priorities, broader mathematical learning and deeper engagement in activities, deserve attention alongside the praise.

Based at St Columbas Church on Pinehurst Road in Liverpool, the setting has 40 places in total and accepts children aged 8 to 60 months. It operates during term time.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets out the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care. It covers what children learn as well as how they are cared for, bringing education and everyday care together throughout the nursery day. Here, natural materials provide opportunities to explore and investigate. The indoor space is divided between two rooms, with a large outdoor area accessible throughout the day and a purpose-built sensory room.

In July 2022, staff used observations of children's play to decide what they should learn next. Stories, singing and conversations featured across the day. Adults introduced vocabulary and demonstrated sentence patterns during play, while visual prompts helped children with speech development. These are concrete ways to make communication part of ordinary activity, rather than confining it to a group session.

Mathematics needed more breadth in July 2022. Children encountered counting, numbers and colours, but adults did not consistently extend play into other mathematical ideas. Engagement was also uneven: some children switched activities quickly because staff did not always help them become absorbed. For parents, the useful distinction is between having resources to explore and receiving the adult support that develops an exploration further.

Outdoor and Community Life

In July 2022, outdoor play included large scooters that children used together, exercising coordination as well as cooperation. A large sand area offered another kind of investigation: children filled containers, tipped them out and tried moving sand with their hands or tools. Daily outdoor opportunities also gave children exercise and fresh air.

Other learning in July 2022 addressed differences between people, cultures and ways of living. Children also explored dental care and the connection between food and health. The day therefore included practical habits and understanding other people alongside language and physical play.

A SENCO leader role forms part of the current Anfield team, and the sensory room adds a separate space to the setting's environment. These are concrete arrangements families can consider against their child's needs, rather than a blanket promise that one approach will suit everyone.

In July 2022, settling sessions were adapted to individual children. Staff stayed nearby to offer comfort and encouragement, and children approached them for affection. Activities also helped children recognise and express feelings. Taken together, these practices made settling and emotional development part of the daily work.

Support for additional needs in July 2022 involved identifying individual requirements, working with other professionals and creating tailored plans. Parents also received strategies they could use at home. This connected work in the setting with family life, giving parents practical ways to continue supporting development between sessions.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm during term time, Monday to Friday. School holidays are closure periods, so families who need care across the year should factor that into their decision. The address is St Columbas Church, Pinehurst Road, Liverpool, L4 2TZ; enquiries can be made by telephone on 01512648881.

Funding and Paid Extras

The setting offers 15 and 30 funded childcare hours for eligible children aged nine months, two years and three or four years. Eligibility remains a condition of that offer. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Mathematics and sustained play. The July 2022 priorities concerned extending mathematical ideas and helping children stay engaged. At a visit, ask how adults now develop a child's chosen activity and introduce mathematical thinking beyond counting.
• Term-time attendance. School holidays are closure periods. This suits families organising childcare around term dates, but those needing holiday cover will need a separate arrangement.
• Funding and the whole booking. Funded hours are offered to eligible age groups. Ask for one written explanation of the attendance pattern, funded-hours delivery and responsibility for meals and non-food consumables before agreeing a booking.

Rosie and Jim's at Anfield Pre-school suits families seeking term-time care with natural materials, ready access to outdoor play and a sensory room. Its July 2022 assessment provides a positive quality baseline, with specific strengths in communication and individual support, balanced by clear priorities for mathematics and engagement. The environment gives children several ways to explore; the decisive question is how well adults now help them build on that exploration.