Carlton Playgroup

Dough, threading and a community scarecrow trail give Carlton Playgroup's October 2023 account its character: practical learning, growing independence and connections beyond the setting. At its 20 October 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and judged safeguarding effective.

Based at The Presbytery on Station Road in Carlton, DN14 9NL, the playgroup has capacity for 23 children and accepts children aged two to four. Its current opening hours are 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, its meaning can be seen in the October 2023 activities: practising conversation, exploring mathematical ideas and developing the hand control needed for writing.

In October 2023, children manipulated dough, threaded shapes and built models with construction materials. These gave them different ways to practise precise hand movements. Language teaching included animal names and sounds, with staff extending children's attempted words into longer phrases.

Sorting, counting and making shape patterns introduced mathematical ideas. Children also participated in a community scarecrow trail connected to a book they were reading, giving a story a link to an event outside the playgroup. Teaching followed assessments of children's existing abilities and experiences, although opportunities to revisit earlier learning needed more attention.

In October 2023, staff helped children understand routines and expectations, and children tidied independently. Preparation for school included learning to express their needs and do things for themselves. These are practical steps towards managing a new setting.

At the October 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that staff identified language delay and other needs promptly, worked with parents, speech and language therapists and Portage, and supported children to catch up with their peers. Portage was one of the support partners involved when children needed additional help.

Key persons and managers also tried to help parents continue learning at home in October 2023. That work was not reaching enough parents, and communication needed to become more consistently two-way. This matters because staff need to hear about children's experiences at home as well as share what happens during sessions.

The address is The Presbytery, Station Road, Carlton, DN14 9NL. The playgroup opens Monday to Friday during term time and closes for school holidays, so its calendar needs to fit the family's childcare arrangements.

In October 2023, morning half-day sessions ran from 9am to noon, with afternoon half-day sessions from noon to 3pm. The setting also provided free early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children at that time.

• Remembering earlier learning. In October 2023, teaching did not consistently return to previous learning. During a visit, ask how staff now help children recall and discuss what they have learned.
• Communication with home. The October 2023 improvement priorities included a more reliable exchange of information with parents. Ask how your observations from home become part of planning for your child.
• School-holiday cover. The playgroup closes during school holidays. Families needing childcare throughout the year will need arrangements that cover those breaks.

Carlton Playgroup suits families seeking term-time childcare within its 9am to 3pm opening hours. Morning and afternoon half-day attendance formed part of its October 2023 offer. Its October 2023 strengths were concrete: language practice, hands-on learning and increasing independence. The decision points are equally practical: holiday cover, how learning is revisited and how parents contribute to the daily conversation.