Good report, few children

Hanley Swan Pre-School Playgroup is struggling to keep going, despite having just received a very complimentary Ofsted report.

Nursery inspector Jayne Titchener, from the Office for Standards in Education, found only six children attending the playgroup, which is registered for 24 children, aged from two-and-a-half to five.

Half of the children currently attending are aged four and the group desperately needs new recruits for the autumn term.

The inspector found the two staff provided a balanced programme of worthwhile activities for the children, in a stimulating, happy and well organised environment.

The youngsters were well behaved and the quality of teaching and assessment was good, with good interaction between children and staff.

In each area of learning, the programme was considered good, with well-chosen themes and use of resources to help develop the children's physical and creative skills, as well as their knowledge and understanding of the World.

Opportunities for counting are well used during routine activities and the children's use of mathematical language is fostered in both formal and informal situations, says the inspector's report.

There is a range of relevant activities to help develop speaking and listening skills and good opportunities for children to practise writing.

Partnership with parents and carers was good overall, but the inspector wanted to see more formal records kept of the children's progress and more structured reports to parents.

None of the children currently attending the playgroup has special needs, but a key area for action identified by the inspector was the development of a special needs policy.

Supervisor Catrin Chapman said: "We used to have 12 to 16 in the group, but numbers have been falling in the last couple of years.

"We really need extra children for the autumn term, or we may be forced to close in the near future."

Anyone interested can call her on 01684 311048 for further details.