Hodnet Pre-School Playgroup

Outdoor play shaped much of the day at Hodnet Pre-School Playgroup in February 2023: children chose to spend most of their time outside, using construction equipment and talking through ideas about the world. That is the clearest picture of its character: play with room for children’s own thinking.

Ofsted rated the playgroup Good at its 13 February 2023 inspection, finding that children developed useful skills for starting school. The setting has capacity for 20 children; those attending in February 2023 were aged two to four. It is based at Hodnet Primary School on Shrewsbury Street, in Hodnet, Market Drayton (TF9 3NS).

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children’s learning, development and care, bringing learning and everyday wellbeing together. In February 2023, staff used observations to decide what children should learn next.

Language featured in practical experiences. In February 2023, younger children explored animal sounds through books, while older children encountered words such as roots and shoots when planting tulip bulbs. Name cards helped children attempt their names on drawings, and road signs prompted questions about what symbols meant. These gave reading and writing a purpose within play.

Outside, in February 2023, children could swing onto a pole and slide down it, combining movement with a physical challenge. Children chose their resources and playmates confidently during independent play. Adult-directed activities left less room for their own ideas, however: improving that balance was an action from February 2023.

At the February 2023 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described close relationships between children and staff, alongside helpful support for communication and language development. In February 2023, staff used calm reminders to guide behaviour and encouraged children to judge everyday needs for themselves, including whether they needed a coat.

An online app gave parents information about learning in February 2023, and the manager offered daily conversations. Exchanges with each child’s key person were less consistent, leaving an important distinction between receiving updates and sharing information both ways. Staff training had also addressed support for children needing help with communication.

In February 2023, opening hours were 8.30am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. These were opening hours rather than named booking sessions. Funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four at that time.

The playgroup’s address places it at Hodnet Primary School.

• Child-led learning. February 2023 brought an improvement action on adult-directed activities. Ask how staff now give children more scope to explore their own ideas during these activities.
• Two-way communication. In February 2023, app updates and access to the manager sat alongside inconsistent exchanges with key persons. Ask how home experiences now inform planning.
• Term-time fit. The February 2023 opening pattern followed school terms. What attendance patterns and funded-hours arrangements can the playgroup offer your family now?

Hodnet suits families drawn to outdoor play, practical language experiences and growing independence, with its February 2023 account offering concrete examples of each. The balance between child-led and adult-directed learning, and the consistency of key-person conversations, deserve attention. Families seeking care around school terms have a relevant starting point in its February 2023 operating pattern.