Opening hours
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday it is open from 9am to 12.30pm. On Tuesday and Thursday it is open from 9am to 3pm.
Charlton & District Playgroup
Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2025)
Number of places
38 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2025
Local authority
Hampshire
About this day nursery
Charlton & District Playgroup provides a warm and supportive learning environment for children aged two and a half up to five years old. Situated in Charlton, the playgroup benefits from experienced staff who offer a rich variety of learning opportunities within both indoor facilities and a spacious outdoor area.
The curriculum adheres to the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, aiming to foster confidence, enjoyment, and satisfaction in children's activities. With a "Good" Ofsted rating from April 2025, the playgroup focuses on creating an atmosphere that is caring, happy, and purposeful.
Resources are organised into different zones across two rooms and a large fenced outdoor space, encouraging independence and physical development. The outdoor area includes a developing wild garden, mud kitchen, and sandpit, providing opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration of the natural environment.
The playgroup also enriches children's experiences through visits from community members like firefighters and animal handlers, as well as performers such as dance instructors and storytellers. Operating as a voluntary organisation with an equal opportunities policy, the playgroup is managed by a committee of parents and volunteers and is registered with Hampshire County Council, Ofsted, and is a member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance.
Our ethos
Charlton & District Playgroup adheres to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, aiming to foster confidence, enjoyment, and satisfaction in children's activities. The playgroup is committed to creating a caring, happy, and purposeful atmosphere that encourages independence and physical development through various learning opportunities and exploration of the natural environment.
What it's like
Children settle quickly and enjoy their time. Staff provide extra support to help children settle and engage in play and learning successfully. Children make their own decisions and engage positively with resources and activities.
Good Ofsted RatingLarge Outdoor SpaceCommunity EngagementParent-led Committee
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
- Additional hours£6 / hour
Key facts
Age range
2 years 6 months to rising five
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Staff
10
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Charlton & District Playgroup
Last inspected 24 April 2025
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 settle quickly and enjoy their time. Staff provide extra support to help children settle and engage in play and learning successfully. Children make their own decisions and engage positively with resources and activities.
Inspector highlights
- Staff provide effective practice and support to meet children's needs.
- Staff have a secure understanding of the skills and knowledge that children need to gain over time.
- Staff provide positive interactions with children, encouraging them to recall their knowledge.
- Staff support children to follow simple instructions and expectations using visual timetables and pictures.
- Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to be physically active indoors and outdoors.
Areas to develop
- 1develop the approach to asking questions so that these are matched more accurately to children's needs and help them to develop their thinking skills further
- 2build further on the development of the staff team to help enhance the consistency of practice to promote children's needs even more effectively.
Inspection #10388275 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents speak highly about the pre-school and staff and about the support they and their children receive.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
There are clear processes to identify any gaps in children's learning. Staff promptly respond to these, including implementing individual educational plans and behaviour plans when appropriate. They work closely with parents and any other professionals involved to provide a consistent approach to supporting children's needs.
Outdoor space
Children develop their small- and large-muscle skills securely through plenty of opportunities to be physically active indoors and outdoors. They build on their balance and coordination using equipment, such as stepping stones and balls. Staff use visual timetables and pictures with children alongside verbal requests to help them line up to go indoors from the garden.
Parent Reviews of Charlton & District Playgroup
5.0
(6)
Jess Harvey
6 months ago
Absolutely the best pre-school locally, the staff are like mums away from home. They care so much about the children and always make them feel so welcome (as with the parents too). My daughter had never been left before so she was a little upset at the start, they reassured us as parents and my daughter quickly felt comfortable there. She now runs in! No hidden fees, no catches. Just fun away from home.
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Hayley Corbin
6 months ago
Wonderful, home-from-home preschool. We are always welcomed with warmth and smiles. I have had two children attend here and both very happy with no issues. Staff are very nurturing and supportive, providing lots of activities to engage in. Would highly recommend this preschool!
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Rosha88
6 months ago
Charlton and district nursery are truly wonderful! They go above and beyond in looking after the children, it is clean and fun with lots to do. My daughter has come on leaps and bounds, her speech has improved and socialisation since being here. Would 100% recommend
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Emma Hards
6 months ago
Charlton is such a lovely play school, all the staff are super experienced and great with the children, our daughter loves it and is doing really well there.
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Leighan Mcmullan
6 months ago
Amazing preschool. The teachers are just lovely and the children progress so much
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Charlton & District Playgroup. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: December 2009
- April 2025Good
- July 2019Good
- February 2015Outstanding
- December 2009Good
Frequently asked about Charlton & District Playgroup
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