Ladybird Brinnington Children's Centre Pre-school

Physical play gives this Brinnington setting its clearest character: in June 2024, children strengthened their upper bodies by lying beneath a table and pushing a truck between themselves and staff. The activity connected movement with the foundations for later writing. Small experiences carried a clear purpose.

At its June 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and reported that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), were making good progress. Ladybird Brinnington Children's Centre Pre-school is based at Westmorland Family Hub in Stockport and accepts children from birth to five.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care, bringing these parts of nursery life together. In June 2024, the setting's own curriculum built on children's starting points and gave attention to skills they needed before moving on to further learning.

Physical development drew on local authority research projects. Alongside the truck activity, social learning had a place in the daily routine: preschool children gathered to greet one another by name, while group activities gave them practice in listening and participating. A bell signalled tidying time, making the next task recognisable.

These examples show the connection between play and preparation for school. Movement, listening and managing shared routines were part of the learning itself.

In June 2024, staff learnt about individual children's needs and used calm voices, eye contact and explanations suited to their ages when guiding behaviour. Key persons supporting children with SEND worked alongside other professionals, connecting children's care with their learning.

Packed lunches featured in the same period, with staff encouraging children to eat savoury food and fruit before treats; staff also took account of food allergies. This was a practical link between home and nursery around eating habits.

The address is Westmorland Family Hub, Westmorland Drive, Brinnington, Stockport, SK5 8HH. The setting operates during school terms and closes for school holidays, so its calendar matters for families arranging care across the year.

In June 2024, sessions ran from 8am until 4pm, Monday to Friday, and the setting provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds. Those arrangements describe the inspection period.

• Consistency of staff practice. At the June 2024 inspection, Ofsted identified uneven understanding of the curriculum and staff responsibilities, and asked leaders to evaluate staff practice more closely. Families should weigh this alongside the Good judgement.
• School-holiday cover. The term-time calendar means families needing year-round childcare must plan for the holiday closures.
• Care for younger children. The accepted age range extends below the preschool ages seen in June 2024. On a visit, ask how care, routines and spaces are organised for the youngest children.

This setting suits families seeking term-time childcare who value physical play and opportunities to practise social routines. Its June 2024 assessment gives a positive picture of children's progress and support, balanced by a clear improvement point about scrutiny of staff practice. The most useful detail is concrete: learning happened through movement, shared activities and familiar signals throughout the day.