Spring Willows Playgroup

A forest outing and snack preparation shaped the September 2024 picture of Spring Willows Playgroup: children learned through movement and tasks they could tackle themselves. In September 2024, children were encouraged to understand why activities mattered, including how walking on a hill exercised their legs.

Ofsted rated the playgroup Good on 20 September 2024. It has capacity for 26 children in Heywood; children attending in September 2024 were aged two to four. That inspection-time age range describes the group then, rather than today's intake.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning and care, encompassing development through play and everyday experiences. In September 2024, learning emphasised talking, independence and getting along with others, with early mathematics and recognising their names helping older children prepare for school.

Water play showed how one activity could serve different stages. Younger children practised pouring, while older children compared how much containers weighed and explored the language of weight. This gave practical tasks an educational purpose without requiring children to do identical work.

Choices also mattered. Children selected play resources, and adults helped them discuss differences such as height and hair length. The forest trip added outdoor movement to the day. These examples made learning tangible: children could handle, compare, choose and discuss things they encountered.

At the September 2024 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described prompt identification of special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), timely referrals and effective use of additional funding to support children's progress.

During that month, adults used a calm manner and visual cues alongside behaviour reminders, helping children who communicated less through speech. Praise explained precisely what a child had done well, making expectations easier to understand. Taking a turn preparing snacks and bringing items to the table gave children manageable responsibilities.

Staff also worked with the local authority on a language and communication pilot. Mathematics training helped practitioners strengthen that part of everyday learning. Both examples show how support for adults connected with children's experiences.

The address is ST. ANNES HOUSE RYECROFT AVENUE, HEYWOOD, OL10 1QB.

In September 2024, opening hours were 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Those hours describe the operating window at that date, rather than a choice of bookable sessions. Funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds at the same time.

• Space to solve problems. In September 2024, adults sometimes stepped in before children had enough thinking time during play. More patient support was an improvement priority, relevant to families who value growing independence.
• Changes between activities. Some moves from free play into group activities left children uncertain about what to do next in September 2024. Clearer organisation was needed to make these moments more predictable.
• Your child's daily pattern. The September 2024 operation followed term-time hours. At a visit, how would your child's attendance fit the current daily routine, including the changes between activities?

Spring Willows suits families drawn to practical early learning: children making choices, helping with snacks and exploring outdoors. The September 2024 picture gives concrete reasons for that interest, alongside two clear priorities around independent thinking and predictable routines. For families whose care needs fit a term-time daytime pattern, it provides a useful starting point for considering the playgroup.