A playgroup based at an Oldham church has been told it 'requires improvement' following an Ofsted inspection.

Hope Methodist Church Playgroup, based at the church on Oldham Road, Failsworth, is a daycare teaching two to four-year-olds and originally opened in 1992 but briefly closed in 2017 before re-registering the following year.

The inspection, which took place on January 17, pointed to the curriculum as the main issue, along with staff being unaware of what they were teaching.

The report claimed staff at the daycare "do not plan an ambitious curriculum to build on what children already know" and that "staff do not have a clear understanding of what they are teaching children and why".

It continued by saying: "Children are not consistently building on their skills and knowledge across all areas of learning, particularly the most-able children."

The report was also critical of the leadership at the playgroup.

It read: "The newly appointed manager does not have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the early years foundation stage."

Despite some issues, the report did highlight there were many positives for the daycare.

It said children were generally well behaved, those with special needs were given the same opportunities and children learned independence skills.

Although staff were said to be uncertain of what they were teaching, the report said they acted as "positive role models" and that they nurtured and cared for the children.

Along with this, the safeguarding measures were "effective" and hygiene practices ensured children stayed safe.

Parents were also said to be happy with the daycare and felt their children were well cared for.

Ultimately, the daycare's requirement to improve stemmed from the staff's need to have a better "understanding of their roles and responsibilities" and for the curriculum to be more ambitious.

Hope Methodist Church Playgroup was contacted for a comment but has not been able to provide one.

The inspection was carried out by Janine Tours.