Lees Laugh n Learn

At its February 2025 inspection, mud-kitchen play, animated storytelling and community visits characterised Lees Laugh n Learn. Based at St Johns Church in Lees, Oldham, the setting combined practical play with activities supporting communication and everyday independence.

At its February 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), made good progress. That judgement came with two clear priorities: greater consistency in applying policies and more responsive teaching when children lose interest.

In February 2025, learning followed the early years foundation stage: play and planned activities supported children's development across seven areas of learning. Older children explored letter sounds and practised making marks; younger children joined songs with instruments, actions and props. The activities gave children different ways to practise communication and early literacy.

Language ran through practical play. In February 2025, staff expanded children's words into short phrases in the mud kitchen, while storytelling encouraged children to move and join familiar passages. Building towers introduced counting and comparisons of size. These were concrete ways to connect language and mathematics with something children could do.

Outdoor equipment supported running, jumping and balancing. Visits to a local care home and community garden also formed part of life in February 2025, taking children's experiences beyond the setting itself.

In February 2025, younger children sought comfort from their key person, and babies' routines could be adjusted to their needs. Learning assessments helped staff spot gaps and tailor support. Activities with dough exercised hands and fingers, while work with babies supported the physical foundations for crawling and walking.

Independence was practised through small tasks, including removing wellington boots and pouring drinks. Children also took on helping roles. These everyday responsibilities gave them opportunities to persevere and contribute.

Communication with families included information sharing from the start, updates about learning and practical guidance such as toilet-training advice in February 2025. Linking home and setting routines helped maintain consistency for children.

The address is St Johns Church, Stamford Road, Lees, Oldham OL4 3LH.

In February 2025, the setting operated Monday to Friday in term time, with sessions running from 9am to 3pm, and offered government-funded childcare places. Children brought lunches from home and washed their hands before eating. These are dated arrangements for families weighing a daytime session against their working hours.

• Consistency in care. In February 2025, some staff did not fully apply the setting's policies, including those supporting healthy lifestyles. This was an improvement priority affecting the consistency of daily practice.
• Keeping children engaged. Teaching did not always change when children lost interest in planned activities in February 2025. Responsiveness matters alongside the activities themselves.
• A session that fits. The February 2025 pattern was term-time attendance from 9am to 3pm. At a visit, ask how today's booking and settling arrangements would fit your child and family routine.

Lees Laugh n Learn suits families seeking language-rich play, outdoor activity and practical independence, all prominent in its February 2025 provision, alongside the term-time daytime sessions offered then. The Good judgement is encouraging; consistent policy practice and adapting teaching to children's engagement are the points to weigh alongside it.