Fenham Playgroup

In March 2025, brick building, balancing on tyres and helping to set snack tables illustrated Fenham Playgroup's practical approach to learning. Based at West End United Reformed Church on Lanercost Drive in Newcastle upon Tyne, it has capacity for 48 children. Children can join from the day after their second birthday; in March 2025, those attending were aged two to four.

At its March 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the playgroup Good and found that children made good progress, with a curriculum that supported independence and preparation for school. The detail matters more than the label: children tried out ideas together, took responsibility for small jobs and turned to familiar adults for comfort. Early mathematics and consistent behaviour guidance were the areas requiring further work.

Attendance is term-time only, with a morning option and longer sessions ending in the early afternoon. That makes the playgroup's timetable an important part of the decision alongside its approach to play and care.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes learning through play, covering children's communication, physical skills, relationships and other areas of development. At Fenham, adult-led activities sit alongside play children choose themselves. Staff use observations to plan the next experiences around individual development, rather than expecting every child to tackle the same task in the same way.

Stories, music, songs and rhymes form part of the daily routine. Books and writing materials are accessible to children, while role play gives them opportunities to explore feelings and relationships. Creative activities include painting, gluing and modelling; children can express their own ideas rather than reproduce an adult's preferred finished product. This gives language, imagination and practical exploration room in the day.

In March 2025, resources were arranged so children could explore independently and follow their interests. During brick building, adults prompted children to think about making a taller tower. Children tested possible solutions together and persisted when their first attempts did not work. The task gave them a reason to explain ideas and keep trying, rather than simply follow instructions.

Mathematics needs closer attention. In March 2025, children could recite numbers, but adults sometimes missed opportunities to connect those words with quantities. The improvement required was more confident teaching that helped children understand mathematical ideas more deeply. Counting aloud and understanding how many objects are present are different skills, and families should weigh that distinction.

Outdoor and Community Life

Physical activity has concrete equipment behind it. In March 2025, children practised balance by crossing tyres outdoors and climbed a ladder frame inside. These experiences gave them opportunities to practise coordination in both parts of the setting, with movement woven into the routine.

The current learning approach also includes running, jumping and climbing, with children encouraged to test their abilities under supervision. Physical development therefore sits alongside quieter activities such as stories and creative work. It is part of the everyday learning offer.

Relationships and Communication

A key person system gives families a regular relationship with a member of staff. Parents can discuss progress with staff at either end of a session, and two-way information sharing covers children's needs at home as well as at playgroup. Parents are also welcome to participate in the life of the setting.

Tapestry is the online learning journal used to share children's development and receive contributions from home. Access to the journal is restricted to parents and staff. That creates a practical connection between experiences in both places: a family can add an achievement rather than leave all record keeping to practitioners. Newsletters communicate activities and events, and communications can be adapted to parents' needs, including multilingual or electronic formats.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

In March 2025, children sought reassurance and cuddles from adults they knew. Staff recognised when a child needed extra comfort, while picture cards helped children anticipate the next part of their routine. Familiar adults and visual prompts provided different ways to support participation in the day.

At the March 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding arrangements effective. The current team includes a SENCO role and staff with paediatric first aid training; these are concrete arrangements for support and care.

Behaviour guidance needed greater consistency in March 2025. During some group activities, children distracted one another and lost attention because expectations were not reinforced clearly enough. Alongside the mathematics finding, this is a useful subject for a visit: how adults help a group stay involved matters as much as the activity itself.

Health habits also featured in March 2025, including toothbrushing and handwashing. Children discussed how their packed lunches helped their bodies grow, linking familiar routines with an understanding of health.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is West End United Reformed Church, Lanercost Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 2DE. Opening hours are 8.45am to 2.45pm, Monday to Friday, during term time only.

Four attendance windows are offered: 9am to noon, 9am to 2pm, 9am to 2.45pm, and 8.45am to 2.45pm. The morning session suits a shorter attendance pattern; the longer options include time beyond lunch. The different finishing times give families a choice within the playgroup's term-time day.

Admissions are accepted throughout the year and operate on a first come, first served basis. Children can start from the day after their second birthday. Enquiries go to enquiries@fenhamplaygroup.co.uk or 07935 605 812.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare is offered, including 15-hour and 30-hour arrangements subject to the relevant eligibility criteria, with provision operating during term time. Two-year-old funding is also offered for eligible families. Paid attendance is supported alongside funding, with payment by bank transfer, cheque or cash; families should obtain current prices in a written quotation.

Parents supply a packed lunch whenever a child stays beyond noon. This requirement applies to the longer attendance options, including children using funded hours, so lunch remains part of the family's daily preparation.

• Teaching and group routines. The March 2025 improvement points concerned deeper mathematical understanding and clearer, more consistent behaviour guidance. During a visit, ask how adults now connect counting with quantities and keep children engaged in group activities.
• Term-time timetable. Both morning attendance and longer days are offered, but the playgroup closes at 2.45pm and operates during term time. Families need to fit work and other commitments around those boundaries.
• Funding and daily costs. Funded hours depend on eligibility, and parents provide lunch for attendance beyond noon.

Fenham Playgroup suits families seeking either a morning session or a longer term-time day, with play, creative work and parent contributions to learning woven into its approach. Tapestry and the key person system give families practical ways to stay involved. The March 2025 findings add specific reasons to consider it, from collaborative building to physical play, while mathematics teaching and group behaviour guidance deserve attention when choosing.