St Vincent's de Paul RC Pre-School Group CIC

A nose-wiping station captures the practical independence that marked daily life here in June 2023: children cleaned their faces, washed their hands and disposed of tissues without adult reminders. Small routines carried real purpose.

St Vincent's de Paul RC Pre-School Group CIC has 32 places at St Vincent's RC Parish Centre in Rochdale. At its June 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and highlighted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities as a strength. Children attending then were aged three to four.

In June 2023, speaking, listening and understanding ran through activities rather than being confined to a separate language session. Staff adjusted learning to individual children's needs. The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, the inspection-era examples included conversation, shared play and practical self-care.

The nose-wiping station gave children a concrete task they could complete independently. In June 2023, they also cleared away playthings, drinking cups and art materials. These were useful opportunities to take responsibility for their surroundings, rather than leaving every task to an adult.

Shared play mattered too. Children invited friends into activities and took turns with resources in June 2023. Older children encouraged younger ones to attempt unfamiliar activities, giving participation a social dimension.

At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that individual support and the key-worker arrangements helped children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make progress, while staff training supported children's protection and safety.

In June 2023, close relationships between children and practitioners sat alongside familiar routines. Staff helped children recognise emotions, although inconsistent responses when children were upset sometimes added to their frustration. Clearer, more consistent behaviour guidance was an improvement priority.

Communication with families also needed attention. In June 2023, important information sometimes reached parents too late. That matters because a warm relationship alone does not give families the timely detail they need about their child.

Weekly staff discussions in June 2023 identified strengths and development needs, with targeted training used to address gaps. Preparation for primary school also featured in that month's account of children's learning.

The address is St Vincent's RC Parish Centre, Caldershaw Road, Rochdale, OL12 7QL.

In June 2023, the pre-school operated on weekdays during school terms, with sessions running from 8am until 3pm. It provided funded early education for children aged three and four at that time. These attendance and funding details describe its arrangements in June 2023.

• Consistent emotional support. June 2023 brought a call for clearer behaviour guidance across staff. During a visit, ask how practitioners now coordinate their responses when a child becomes upset.
• Timely communication. Delays in sharing important information were an improvement point in June 2023. Ask how updates reach families and how urgent messages are handled.
• Attendance fit. The June 2023 pattern was term-time weekday sessions. What ages, attendance patterns and funded arrangements apply now?

This pre-school suits families who value practical independence and language woven into everyday activity, judging by its June 2023 practice. Its June 2023 strengths were concrete: children taking responsibility for personal care, cooperative play and individual support. Families considering term-time sessional care have a useful starting point, with consistency of emotional support and timely parent communication the two matters to explore closely.