Alkrington Pre-School CIC

Gutter pipes became a marble run, herbs went into the mud kitchen, and children picked fruit they had grown: Alkrington Pre-School CIC’s June 2023 activities gave children concrete things to investigate and discuss. At its 21 June 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found that children made good progress and judged safeguarding effective.

The setting has capacity for 30 children. Children attending in June 2023 were aged three to four; that is a dated picture of the children attending, rather than a current admissions age range.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children’s learning, development and care. Here, the June 2023 examples included practising language through sounds and words, and using counting to share turns on a swing. Learning connected with ordinary play.

In June 2023, outdoor resources encouraged children to experiment together. Pipes and tubes became a large marble run, while the mud kitchen offered herbs to mix. Fruit growing gave older children something to harvest. Children also made regular visits to a farm and explored nearby woodland with staff, extending their experiences beyond the preschool’s outdoor space.

Concentration was less consistent. In June 2023, bathroom use close to an organised activity interrupted older children’s attention. Better arrangement of activities was an improvement priority, so that children could concentrate and understand the next step.

In June 2023, staff gave children time to answer and demonstrated considerate conversation. Children practised listening to one another, discussing ideas and sorting out disagreements. These interactions gave them practical ways to manage being part of a group.

Communication with families included digital updates and periodic progress reports in June 2023. Parents knew what their children were learning, giving them a basis for continuing that learning at home. Staff assessments also helped identify children who needed additional support and plan responses.

Independence was uneven in June 2023. Children managed their belongings and toileting, but adults frequently served meals and drinks for them. The improvement priority was to extend opportunities for children to do things themselves across the day, including eating routines.

The address is St Michaels School, Boardman Fold Road, Manchester M24 1GD.

In June 2023, opening hours were 9am to 3.10pm on weekdays during school terms. At that time, the preschool received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. These arrangements describe that period.

• Independence at mealtimes. In June 2023, adults often handled serving food and drinks. Opportunities to practise these tasks matter alongside independent toileting and managing belongings.
• Space for concentration. Bathroom activity interrupted an organised learning activity in June 2023. The arrangement of quieter activities deserves attention when considering how your child learns.
• Planning attendance. The June 2023 opening pattern followed school terms. At a visit, what attendance and funded-hours arrangements would apply to your child now?

The June 2023 picture suits families who value practical outdoor exploration, conversation and learning through everyday experiences. Farm visits, woodland exploration and growing fruit gave children material to talk about and investigate. The balance also matters: extending independence at meals and reducing interruptions to activities were clear priorities. The historical term-time opening pattern gives families a starting point for considering whether the preschool fits their routine.