--- title: "Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham — Rated Good by Ofsted" description: "Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham, a nursery in Oakham — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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It offers full day care for children aged 2 to 4 years." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What do parents value about Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Parents say staff make the setting feel like a home from home and go above and beyond for children in their care. That feedback points to strong relationships and a high level of personal attention." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What outdoor activities does Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham offer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Outdoor learning includes storytelling and role play outside, with children acting out a bear hunt together. Staff also guide safe use of outdoor equipment and encourage balance, spatial awareness and coordination." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which funded hours does Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham accept?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting accepts 15 hours for disadvantaged two-year-olds, 15 universal hours for three- and four-year-olds, and 30 hours for working parents of three- and four-year-olds." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [East Midlands](/search?region=East+Midlands) 4. Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham # Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham Compare Contact Nursery 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 - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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 preschool Forest School and Beach School EYFS curriculum Strong community links ## Pricing & funding Funding accepted 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds 15 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 ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham Inspection date Apr 2024 Inspection no. 10320592 Lead inspector Lora Teague Safeguarding arrangements are effective [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50248494)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/254363) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Reveal phone number [ Visit website ](https://www.bright-sparks-preschool.com) Empingham C of E Primary School, School Lane, Oakham, LE15 8PQ [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-0.58867/52.6685/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Oakham - [Day nurseries in Oakham](/search?q=Oakham) - [Day nurseries in East Midlands](/search?q=East+Midlands) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=bright-sparks-playgroup-at-empingham-le15-8pq-254363) 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 - 1 strengthen 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 - 2 embed further the professional development staff are provided, to improve the consistency of staff interactions and practice. Inspection #10320592 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50248494) ## 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 2024 Good - November 2023 Inadequate - May 2023 Inadequate - June 2017 Good - February 2014 Good ## Frequently asked about Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham ### Is Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham a day nursery or preschool? ### What do parents value about Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham? ### What outdoor activities does Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham offer? ### Which funded hours does Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham accept? ## Nearby day nurseries in Oakham Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Bright Sparks Playgroup at Empingham. - [ Ofsted: Good 2.2 mi ### Rainbow Childcare Centres Oakham · LE15 8AY ](/nursery/rainbow-childcare-centres-le15-8ay-ey431710) - [ Ofsted: Good 3.0 mi ### Casterton Nursery Stamford · PE9 4AT ](/nursery/casterton-nursery-pe9-4at-260840) - [ Ofsted: Good 3.1 mi ### Ketton Pre-School Stamford · PE9 3TE ](/nursery/ketton-pre-school-pe9-3te-254364) - [ Ofsted: Good 3.6 mi ### Acorn Childcare Centre Stamford · PE9 2SR ](/nursery/acorn-childcare-centre-pe9-2sr) - [ Awaiting first inspection 4.5 mi ### Ark Foundry Road Nursery School Stamford · PE9 2PP 4.4(9 reviews) ](/nursery/ark-foundry-road-nursery-school-pe9-2pp-2850797) - [ Ofsted: Good 4.6 mi ### The Little Lane Nursery - Easton On The Hill Stamford · PE9 3NN ](/nursery/the-little-lane-nursery-easton-on-the-hill-pe9-3nn-ey555433) [See all nurseries in Oakham →](/search?q=Oakham) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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