Newtown Preschool and ABC Club

In January 2025, story-making, dough tools and outdoor construction gave Newtown Preschool and ABC Club a practical, playful character. At its January 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and reported good progress for children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

The setting has 40 places in total, at Queenspark Mobile on Rivington Road, St Helens, WA10 4NQ. In January 2025, children attending were aged 2 to 11; that age span describes the inspection period.

In January 2025, communication ran through the activities: younger children repeated unfamiliar words during stories, while older children invented characters and settings of their own. A search for an alien gave imaginative storytelling a purpose. Children could contribute ideas rather than simply listen.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing play, communication and physical development into the day. In January 2025, chunky drawing materials supported younger children's mark-making, while older children wrote lists using clipboards. Dough and rolling pins gave children another way to practise hand control before writing.

Outdoor play also involved making things. In January 2025, older children assembled climbing structures using crates and practised jumping; younger children crawled and copied animal movements. Bus journeys and park visits extended learning into the surrounding community. These were opportunities to experience local life beyond the setting.

In January 2025, settling arrangements were tailored to individual children and their families. Parents could take part in activities, with conversations in person and online updates connecting them to their child's day. However, guidance about extending learning at home needed to become clearer.

Support in January 2025 included adaptations for children with SEND and work with outside agencies. Staff used pictures and signs to support communication and gave children more choices. Games involving instructions and rules also helped children practise listening and talk about feelings.

Everyday independence had practical expression in January 2025: children poured drinks, used cutlery and learnt handwashing routines. Clear expectations distinguished running outdoors from walking inside, giving children understandable boundaries alongside opportunities to manage tasks for themselves.

In January 2025, opening hours were 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. These describe the opening window at that date, rather than separate morning or afternoon booking options.

The setting also provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four in January 2025. Families weighing the term-time arrangement need to consider how it fits their working year and childcare needs during holidays.

• Learning at home. The January 2025 findings identified a need for clearer guidance to parents. Ask how staff now turn children's interests and next steps into practical activities families can try together.
• Online safety. In January 2025, teaching did not sufficiently address safe internet use or help families recognise online risks. Ask how this is now included in children's learning and parent communication.
• Term-time planning. The January 2025 opening pattern ran through term time. Which current attendance arrangements would fit your family's week and holiday needs?

Newtown merits consideration for families who value storytelling, hands-on activities and community experiences. Its January 2025 practice combined communication work with physical play and growing independence. The dated term-time arrangement is relevant to families whose childcare needs follow that calendar, while clearer home-learning guidance and online safety remain important points to explore.