Kidzone Preschool and Out of School Club

Storytelling, pretend ice-cream orders and outdoor digging give Kidzone Preschool and Out of School Club its character in May 2023: children used books, imaginative play and physical activity to explore ideas. This is a preschool and out-of-school setting at Longton Lane Cp School in Rainhill, with 43 places in total.

At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children made good progress, with expressive arts and design a particular strength. Children attending then were aged 2 to 11; that age range covered the combined provision rather than preschool alone.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care: play supports language, physical skills, creativity and growing independence. In May 2023, these strands came together through drawing, singing and pretend play, including taking telephone orders for ice creams.

Books also travelled home for families to share. During May 2023, children brought stories into outdoor play, imagining food for a wolf and acting out familiar plots. Counting songs introduced mathematical ideas, while staff supplied words for quantities and numbers. These were practical opportunities to connect stories and concepts with children's own play.

Outdoor activity had substance. In May 2023, children dug in mud, rode bikes and climbed; a slide and swing offered opportunities to practise taking turns. Dough and slime gave smaller hand movements their own workout.

In May 2023, staff offered additional reassurance when children needed help settling. Everyday independence received attention too: children practised toileting, handwashing and removing shoes, with adults demonstrating unfamiliar steps. These small tasks gave children opportunities to manage their personal needs.

Communication with families was also part of the May 2023 routine. Staff shared detailed learning updates and ideas for activities at home, and sought parents' knowledge of children's interests when planning activities. That connected home experiences with the preschool day.

The address is Longton Lane Cp School, Longton Lane, Rainhill, PRESCOT, L35 8PB.

In May 2023, preschool opening hours were 9am to 3pm during term time. The out-of-school provision opened on term-time weekdays from 7.45am to 8.45am and 3.15pm to 6pm, with school-holiday opening hours of 8am to 6pm. These were separate arrangements for preschool and out-of-school care.

In May 2023, the setting provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Language interactions. In May 2023, adults sometimes moved on before children had enough time to consider questions, and did not consistently establish whether new language was understood. More precise staff development was an improvement priority.
• Participation in play. In May 2023, children needing encouragement to join an activity were sometimes overlooked for too long. Prompt recognition of those children was the other improvement priority.
• Matching care to your child. The May 2023 arrangements separated term-time preschool from care before and after school and during holidays. At a visit, ask which present attendance arrangement fits your child's age and your working pattern.

Kidzone's May 2023 profile suits families interested in play-led preschool, alongside a separate out-of-school service. Its practical appeal spans term-time preschool and care around the school day or during holidays. Books shared with families, imaginative play and outdoor movement gave the preschool day concrete substance; language interactions and participation needed closer attention.