Youngstars Nurseries, Leigh

In March 2023, books beside the train set, notebooks in children's play and a lending library gave this village-hall preschool a recognisable character. Youngstars Nurseries, Leigh has 20 places in total at The Small Village Hall, High Street, Leigh, TN11 8RL.

At its March 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), made progress through a planned curriculum. The account is strongest on literacy, relationships and practical play. Its improvement priority was consistency in newer teaching methods, including support for independence.

In March 2023, books sat alongside play resources rather than being confined to story time. Staff explored characters and plots with children, who then used story props in imaginative games. The lending library extended this connection between stories and play into family life.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play and everyday interactions support skills such as communication, movement and early writing. In March 2023, children used notebooks to capture ideas during play, and their emerging writing was displayed. This gave their marks a purpose beyond a separate writing activity.

Physical experiences that month included dancing, indoor and outdoor exercise, and building pretend cars with large construction equipment. Paint and play dough provided smaller movements to practise. Construction play also gave children opportunities to persist with a task and work out how pieces fitted together.

In March 2023, children had close relationships with staff, who helped them recognise feelings and work through difficulties with friends. Photographs, toys and books represented children's families and homes, giving familiar experiences a place in their play.

Language support was practical. That month, staff introduced vocabulary through insect pictures and worked with parents and other professionals when children's language development needed additional help. Cooperation with other settings children attended also supported continuity of care.

Sharing had concrete expression in March 2023: children waited for turns while cutting vegetables and celebrated one another's achievements. Such everyday tasks combined social learning with opportunities to try something demanding.

The address is The Small Village Hall, High Street, Leigh, TN11 8RL. The whole-setting capacity is 20 places; this is not a room size or a daily attendance figure.

In March 2023, children attending were aged two to four, and opening was term-time only. Hours were 8.30am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8.30am to 1pm on Wednesday, and 8.30am to noon on Friday. These were opening hours rather than specified booking sessions.

In March 2023, the preschool received funding for early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Independence in everyday tasks. In March 2023, newer teaching methods were not yet consistent across staff practice. A visit can explore how practitioners now help children attempt tasks for themselves.
• The term-time timetable. The March 2023 opening pattern had shorter Wednesdays and Fridays. Does that timetable, together with the age range, still match your child's needs?

The March 2023 picture suits parents who value stories, emerging writing and shared practical play. Books were integrated into activities, while cooperation was practised through real tasks. Families considering term-time preschool provision have a useful starting point here, with teaching consistency the clear issue to explore.