St Thomas More Play Group

Building ramps for pretend cars, choosing yoga poses and learning to brush teeth gave St Thomas More Play Group a practical character in February 2022. This Middleton playgroup has capacity for 30 children. Its appeal rests on everyday experiences that give children something to do, decide and practise.

At its 11 February 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the playgroup Good and found that children achieved well, with education preparing them for further learning, although staff needed to extend the challenge in activities. Children attending at that time were aged two to four; that age range describes the children seen then.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play, communication and practical experiences contribute to their development together.

In February 2022, children worked together on a ramp for pretend cars, making decisions about its construction. Singing supported language development, while yoga involved choosing poses and practising balance and coordination. These were concrete opportunities to use words, solve problems and move with purpose.

Outdoor experiences that February included football and muddy puddles. Children practised dressing for outdoor play and putting on wellington boots themselves. Independence was part of the activity, rather than something adults did for them before play could begin.

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding, strong partnerships with parents and very good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including individual sensory bags and visual communication aids. Those practical resources gave children different ways to communicate their needs.

In February 2022, the snuffle station supplied tissues for children to wipe their noses, alongside routines for washing hands. The healthy grin award recognised work on oral health: children had individual toothbrushes and brushed to a song. Care routines doubled as opportunities to practise looking after themselves.

Privacy also received practical attention that February, with a curtain around the nappy-changing area. Parents received regular progress updates, and staff sought help from other professionals. For children moving on to school, Reception teachers visited the playgroup and children visited their new school, giving them opportunities to become familiar with new people and surroundings.

The address is 102 Mainway, Middleton, Manchester, M24 1PP.

In February 2022, opening hours were 8.30am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. This was a morning opening window, rather than evidence of separately bookable session choices. Funded early education was provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds at that time.

• Stretching learning. In February 2022, activities did not consistently give children enough additional challenge. Families should weigh the practical learning examples alongside this specific improvement priority.
• Sharing staff training. In February 2022, learning from training did not consistently reach the whole staff team. Passing that knowledge on was a priority for improving teaching across the playgroup.
• Morning attendance. The February 2022 timetable covered term-time mornings. At a visit, what are the current attendance arrangements, and how would they fit your family's childcare needs?

For families seeking a playgroup centred on practical learning and growing independence, the February 2022 picture offers concrete reasons to consider St Thomas More Play Group. Ramp building, oral-health routines and individual communication resources give substance to that appeal. The balance matters: a Good judgement sat alongside clear priorities to challenge children further and share training more effectively.