Whitworth Playgroup

In February 2025, soup-making, recipe cards and library borrowing gave Whitworth Playgroup a practical, hands-on character. In February 2025, children prepared snacks, cut vegetables and worked out why bowling skittles needed a firm surface. These everyday tasks gave them reasons to think, experiment and practise independence.

At its 13 February 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the playgroup Good and found safeguarding effective, with strong support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The setting has capacity for 20 children; those attending in February 2025 were aged two to four.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care. In February 2025, children developed language through picture-board conversations, practised early writing with recipe cards and built coordination through throwing and catching.

In February 2025, stories and practical writing sat alongside active play. Children borrowed library books, used puppets and made ingredient lists for cooking. Writing had a purpose: helping them organise what they wanted to make.

The garden offered another way to learn. That February, children practised ball skills, tackled hurdles and painted letters and shapes on a wall with brushes dipped in water. Bike helmets brought safety into their play, while bowling prompted a discussion about surfaces. These were concrete opportunities to connect movement with thinking.

Planning needed greater consistency. In February 2025, staff sometimes missed opportunities to broaden learning during play, and quieter spaces were not used when noise interrupted concentration. Children encountered cultural celebrations, books and images, but needed more help to understand differences between people.

Relationships supported everyday care in February 2025: staff helped children settle, responded to their needs and exchanged information with parents about interests and development. Stay-and-play sessions let parents see activities in action and try similar experiences at home.

At the February 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff identified learning gaps promptly, used targeted plans and worked with other professionals to support children with SEND. That finding gives families a concrete picture of the support then in place, rather than a general promise of inclusion.

Language received deliberate attention that February. Staff used picture boards to prompt conversation and assessed children's speaking to plan further opportunities. Staff training and strong retention also supported continuity of care at that time.

Whitworth Playgroup is based at Hallfold United Reform Church, Hall Street, Whitworth, Rochdale, OL12 8TL.

In February 2025, the playgroup opened on weekdays during term time, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The out-of-school club opened from 3.30pm to 6pm. Government-funded childcare places were offered at that time. These are dated operating arrangements, useful for understanding the setting's sessional character.

• Concentration and curriculum breadth. February 2025 planning did not consistently extend learning or use quieter spaces when needed. At a visit, ask how staff now adapt activities for children who lose concentration.
• Understanding differences. In February 2025, cultural resources and celebrations needed deeper discussion. Ask how children explore differences between people through everyday play and conversation.
• Attendance and funding. The February 2025 offer combined term-time playgroup mornings with an out-of-school club. Ask which attendance and funded-hour arrangements would fit your child now.

Whitworth suits families drawn to practical learning and close communication with staff. Its February 2025 provision combined playgroup mornings with after-school care, serving different attendance needs. The strongest decision value lies in the detail: purposeful cooking and writing, active garden play and targeted support, balanced against clear priorities for planning and understanding differences.