Mojo 4

In May 2025, conversation over lunch, stories outdoors and growing projects at home gave Mojo 4 a recognisable preschool character. Based at The Childrens Community Open Centre on Fiddlers Lane in Irlam, it has capacity for 52 children in total. At its 16 May 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and found safeguarding effective.

In May 2025, the children attending were aged 1 to 11, with preschool provision alongside an out-of-school club. The preschool account centres on everyday interactions: taking turns, talking through ideas and becoming more independent.

In May 2025, learning followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care. Play brought that framework into ordinary experiences: counting before releasing cars down a ramp, comparing finishing positions and exploring how much water containers could hold. These are concrete ways to introduce number, order and quantity.

Books had a place indoors and outside. In May 2025, children listened to stories with staff outdoors and selected books from the book corner, turning pages and examining pictures independently. The combination gave them both shared reading time and opportunities to make their own choices.

The outdoor space also supplied physical challenges. In May 2025, children poured water through guttering, steadied containers while filling them and sent balls through a large pipe to friends. Those activities combined movement with careful handling, rather than making outdoor time solely about running around.

In May 2025, staff used familiar routines and gentle reminders to support turn-taking. A building-block game gave children practice in waiting while another child added to the tower, with praise recognising patience and considerate behaviour.

Lunch was also conversational. In May 2025, staff invited children to discuss animals and contribute their own ideas, using the meal as an opportunity for speaking and listening. Emotional wellbeing received close attention, and children formed relationships with staff and one another.

Communication extended beyond the setting. In May 2025, parents received learning updates through meetings and their child's key person; home learning packs involved growing vegetables, flowers and herbs together. Development was assessed on entry and subsequently, helping staff plan children's next steps. Staff development included training and supervision meetings with leaders.

Mojo 4's address is The Childrens Community Open Centre, Fiddlers Lane, Irlam, Manchester, M44 6QE.

In May 2025, the setting operated Monday to Friday during term time. Preschool opening hours were 8.45am to 3.15pm; the out-of-school club opened from 7.30am to 8.45am and again from 3.15pm to 5.30pm. These describe the arrangements at that date.

Government-funded childcare was offered in May 2025. That is a useful starting point for families considering how preschool attendance fits their childcare plans.

• Consistency of learning. In May 2025, staff sometimes lacked clarity about what an activity should teach, making children's progress less secure. Discuss how staff now define and maintain the learning purpose of activities.
• Term-time arrangements. The May 2025 operating pattern combined daytime preschool with an out-of-school club. At a visit, ask how the current attendance arrangements would fit your child's age and your working week.

Mojo 4 merits consideration for families looking for term-time preschool or out-of-school care, based on its May 2025 arrangements. Its inspection-era strengths lie in conversational learning, accessible books, practical outdoor play and communication through key persons. The balance is clear: a Good judgement, with greater consistency in the purpose of activities still an important discussion point.