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Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham

Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2024)
·Empingham C of E Primary School, School Lane, Oakham, LE15 8PQ · Rutland
Number of places
21 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2024
Local authority
Rutland

About this day nursery

Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham is a welcoming, charity-run preschool dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children. Located within the grounds of Warden House School in a purpose-built facility, the playgroup focuses on supporting each child's individual development to their fullest potential.

The curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, encouraging learning through play, exploration, and creative expression, both indoors and outdoors. Bright Sparks offers unique experiences such as Forest School and Beach School, led by qualified practitioners, where children can engage with nature and learn about their local environment.

The playgroup also fosters intergenerational connections through visits to a local care home and maintains strong links with local schools to ensure a smooth transition for children moving on to reception year. With a committed team of early years practitioners, Bright Sparks aims to create a happy, secure, and inclusive setting for all children aged two and up.

Our ethos

Bright Sparks Playgroup follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, encouraging learning through play, exploration, and creative expression both indoors and outdoors. They offer unique experiences such as Forest School and Beach School, led by qualified practitioners, fostering a connection with nature and the local environment. The playgroup is dedicated to supporting each child's individual development within a nurturing, stimulating, secure, and inclusive setting.

What it's like

Children arrive excited to greet their friends and play in the homely, warm environment staff have created. They build close relationships with all staff. Children settle quickly and feel secure enough to put their own comforters away, happily seeking a cuddle from staff for reassurance when needed. Children learn a breadth of skills and knowledge from staff during daily routines. At snack time, children learn good hygiene practices and help staff to spray and clean the table.

Charity-run preschoolForest School and Beach SchoolEYFS curriculumStrong community links

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

8.00am and 3.45pm Monday to Friday

Age range

2 to 4 years

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Established

1992

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham

Last inspected 30 April 2024 · Lora Teague

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children arrive excited to greet their friends and play in the homely, warm environment staff have created. They build close relationships with all staff. Children settle quickly and feel secure enough to put their own comforters away, happily seeking a cuddle from staff for reassurance when needed. Children learn a breadth of skills and knowledge from staff during daily routines. At snack time, children learn good hygiene practices and help staff to spray and clean the table.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff play alongside children to find out what they already know and can do, as well as identify what each child needs to learn next.
  • Staff use what children are interested in and what they want children to learn next to plan a wide range of activities.
  • Staff interact well with children and support them to develop their communication and language.
  • Staff share their expectations and boundaries clearly so that children understand them and can follow them.
  • The manager has undertaken a broad range of professional development and engaged with support from other agencies since the last inspection.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen staff's ability to adapt their focus and respond appropriately when children begin to lead their own learning during planned activities, so that interactions during these activities support all children to make the most progress
  • 2embed further the professional development staff are provided, to improve the consistency of staff interactions and practice.
Inspection #10320592 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment that staff make it a 'home from home' setting and go 'above and beyond' for children in their care.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Staff support children in acting out a bear hunt as a group while they listen carefully to staff read a story to them in an interactive way outside. Staff guide children on how to safely use equipment outside and suggest how they can develop their balance, spatial awareness and coordination.

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2024

Date: February 2014

  • April 2024Good
  • November 2023Inadequate
  • May 2023Inadequate
  • June 2017Good
  • February 2014Good

Frequently asked about Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham

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