Opening hours
Early Bird: 8:15-8:45 AM, AM Session: 8:45-11:45 AM, Lunch Bunch: 11:45 AM-12:45 PM, PM Session: 12-3 PM
Laurel Way Playgroup
Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2022)
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2022
Local authority
Barnet
About this day nursery
Laurel Way Playgroup offers a nurturing pre-school environment in London, catering to children aged 2-5 years. While primarily for children aged 2-5, places for under 3s are discretionary and based on staff ratios and the child's developmental stage.
The playgroup emphasises learning through play, fostering essential skills like listening, concentration, persistence, creativity, cooperation, and social interaction. Its curriculum is built upon the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2025), ensuring high standards for development, health, and safety.
A strong focus is placed on developing personal, social, emotional, communication, and physical skills to prepare children for school and life. The playgroup maintains a staff ratio of 1:5 for all ages, with all staff holding relevant qualifications and committed to continuous professional development.
Parents are encouraged to visit the "happy school" to experience its ethos firsthand.
Our ethos
Laurel Way Playgroup emphasises learning through play, fostering essential skills like listening, concentration, persistence, creativity, cooperation, and social interaction. Its curriculum is built upon the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2025), with a strong focus on developing personal, social, emotional, communication, and physical skills to prepare children for school and life.
What it's like
Children are happy and secure at this welcoming pre-school, forming close relationships with staff and other children. New children receive consistent support and reassurance from the warm and caring staff team, who also work with parents to help children manage their feelings. Children behave well and follow rules, demonstrating positive attitudes towards learning as they make decisions about their play and develop confidence and self-esteem.
Learning through playEYFS curriculum (2025)Strong staff ratios (1:5)
Pricing & funding
The nursery charges a non-refundable administrative fee upon enrolment. Additional fees are charged weekly for extra activities and services, varying by the child's age, schedule, and subsidy level.
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Good to know
- An administrative fee must be paid via BACS when submitting the enrolment form.
- One month's written notice is required for the withdrawal of a child, otherwise one month's fees are payable.
Key facts
Session types
Morning Session, Afternoon Session, Full Day, Early Bird Session, Lunch Bunch
Age range
2-5 years
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Established
1992
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Laurel Way Playgroup
Last inspected 26 January 2022 · Agnes Wink
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 are happy and secure at this welcoming pre-school, forming close relationships with staff and other children. New children receive consistent support and reassurance from the warm and caring staff team, who also work with parents to help children manage their feelings. Children behave well and follow rules, demonstrating positive attitudes towards learning as they make decisions about their play and develop confidence and self-esteem.
Inspector highlights
- Managers develop the curriculum based on children's interests, effectively extending their learning through engaging activities.
- Staff provide plenty of opportunities to enhance children's communication and language skills, encouraging the use of home languages and learning key phrases in different languages to interact with all children, including those who speak English as an additional language.
- Children develop a strong interest in books, with staff engaging them in familiar stories and using props to re-enact them.
- Staff provide opportunities for children to practise small physical and mark-making skills, preparing them for early writing development.
- Children's physical health is a high priority, and they thoroughly enjoy practising a wide range of physical skills in the well-organised outdoor area.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to provide higher levels of teaching and interactions to further extend children's learning experiences
- 2review the organisation of the pre-school day, to ensure children remain fully engaged and their learning is maximised.
Inspection #10137731 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents speak highly of the learning experiences offered to their children.
They comment that their children form close friendships within the pre-school.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
Outdoor space
Children's physical health is a high priority for staff. Children thoroughly enjoy practising a wide range of physical skills in the well-organised outdoor area. They run, slide, balance, swing and jump on a variety of outdoor resources available.
Parent Reviews of Laurel Way Playgroup
5.0
(16)
Farangis Gulyamova
10 months ago
Both of my daughters have attended Laurel Way Playgroup and I couldn’t be happier with the care and support they received. The staff are warm, professional, and truly dedicated to the children’s development. Our girls thrived in the nurturing environment, made great friendships, and always looked forward to their days there. We’re so grateful for the positive start they had at LWG! If you want your child to be happy, confident, and well cared for, I highly recommend this playgroup . It’s been a wonderful experience for our family. ☺️
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Joanna Palus
2 years ago
Amazing nursery with very kind lovely staff. My daughter love all the activities they have including cooking club, kids active, library and many more. She learned a lot during her stay at Laurel Way. They have art room, outdoor playground and many nursery trips like the one to the Willows Farm which we all loved! Highly recommended ❤️ Thank You Laurel Way Playgroup 🙏
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Almudena Laris
10 months ago
My daughter attends Laurel Way Playgroup and we couldn't be happier. She is thriving, learning so much, and always looks forward to going. The staff are kind, caring, and highly capable. The children seem genuinely happy and are encouraged to socialize, be respectful, and play cooperatively while learning to follow rules. There's a strong emphasis on learning through play, which makes the experience both fun and educational. When my daughter first started, she didn’t speak any English, but she picked it up quickly in the warm, supportive environment. I’m truly grateful for the positive impact the playgroup has had on her development.
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Dee S
10 months ago
We couldn’t be happier with Laurel way, a hidden gem in our community! The staff are highly skilled, incredibly kind and genuinely care for each individual child. They create such a warm, positive environment for learning, and it truly shows—our son has flourished since attending. We’re so grateful to have found such a nurturing place!
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maryam dhn
10 months ago
My son had such a wonderful time at Laurel Way Playgroup. He came back to me more confident, happy, and thriving. As a multilingual family who speaks another language at home, we were amazed at how well he learned English within just a year. His communication skills have grown so much, and we truly believe this nursery played a big part in that. Susan is an exceptional teacher and manager so experienced, kind, and truly dedicated. Grace, Audrey, and Rasa are all amazing too. They’ve each made a special impact on my son, and we are going to miss them all dearly. Laurel Way Playgroup will always hold a special place in our hearts. I often dream of my son’s nursery and the joy it brought to our lives. Thank you for everything.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Laurel Way Playgroup. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: December 2010
- January 2022Good
- November 2015Outstanding
- December 2010Good
Frequently asked about Laurel Way Playgroup
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