Jigsaw Playgroup, Burscough

Cardboard boats and pretend fishing give Jigsaw Playgroup, Burscough a recognisable character in its October 2022 account: children turned ordinary materials into imaginative play. The setting has 24 places in total, at Orrell Lane, Burscough, Ormskirk, L40 0SG.

At its 11 October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that staff supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well through collaboration with families and professionals. Children attending then were aged two to four.

In October 2022, planned activities sat alongside play shaped by children's interests. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care; here, its everyday application included conversation, imaginative play, counting and practical independence.

Construction play developed into making boats and fishing rods, with scissors, tape and glue giving children practice handling tools. Questions about building taller towers encouraged problem-solving. Counting accompanied hide-and-seek and block building, bringing mathematical ideas into familiar games.

Puppets helped children act out Billy goats gruff, while songs and rhymes accompanied story work. These were concrete ways to take part in stories rather than simply listen.

The outdoor area included logs for climbing and balancing. In October 2022, however, bulky equipment restricted movement, and activities outside needed clearer purpose for children who preferred learning there. The curriculum and assessment arrangements also needed firmer implementation so staff could identify the next steps in children's learning.

In October 2022, familiar staff knew children's interests and used them to develop activities. Children practised putting coats on, washing hands and managing toileting, building useful habits for the move to school.

Sharing and turn-taking formed part of daily life, but staff did not always respond consistently when children struggled to share. A more uniform response to behaviour was an improvement priority. This matters alongside the imaginative activities: children need predictable help with playing together.

Sessions and Attendance

In October 2022, the playgroup operated on weekdays during term time. Its sessions ran from 9am to midday and from 1pm to 3pm, with wraparound provision from 8.30am to 9am and from midday to 1pm. Children attended different combinations of sessions.

At that time, funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. These attendance and funding arrangements belong to the October 2022 picture.

• Outdoor learning. In October 2022, large resources restricted movement and outdoor activities needed more direction. During a visit, look at how the space now supports children who prefer learning outside.
• Curriculum and behaviour. October 2022 priorities included clearer learning next steps and consistent responses to behaviour. Ask how these are put into practice today.
• Attendance fit. The October 2022 model combined term-time sessions with short wraparound periods. Before joining, ask which current session combinations and funded arrangements fit your family's week.

Jigsaw's October 2022 picture will interest families seeking morning or afternoon playgroup sessions, with short wraparound periods rather than a single attendance pattern. Imaginative construction, puppet stories and everyday counting give that account substance. The same dated picture also identifies practical points to examine: purposeful outdoor learning, clearer learning next steps and consistent behaviour support.