Opening hours
Monday to Friday, term time only. Sessions are from 9.15am to 3.15pm.
Merry-Go-Round Pre-School
Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2024)
Number of places
20 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2024
Local authority
Devon
About this early years setting
Merry-Go-Round Pre-School in Stokenham, Kingsbridge, registered in 2004, provides a nurturing and engaging environment for children aged two to four. The dedicated team of five staff, including a manager with a Level 4 early years qualification and others working towards or holding Level 3 qualifications, fosters a love for learning through a well-planned curriculum.
Children are warmly welcomed and encouraged to develop confidence and independence, with a strong focus on their emotional well-being through activities like "pamper sessions" and discussions about their feelings. The pre-school actively involves parents in fundraising and offers opportunities for them to contribute their skills, fostering a positive home-nursery bond.
Children benefit from a rich outdoor play area, where they engage in activities like making bird feeders and learning about nature, supporting their understanding of the world around them. The pre-school operates during term time, from Monday to Friday, with sessions running from 9:15 am to 3:15 pm, offering funded early education for two-, three-, and four-year-old children.
What it's like
Children enter this pre-school with enthusiasm and are warmly welcomed by friendly and nurturing staff. They demonstrate high levels of confidence, behave well and show a positive attitude to learning. Children feel safe in their environment and with the staff who care for them. They spontaneously give adults a cuddle or invite them into their play.
Confident childrenNurturing staffOutdoor playEmotional well-beingParent partnership
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Term time / All Year
Term_time_only
Registered with Ofsted
2004
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Merry-Go-Round Pre-School
Last inspected 21 February 2024
Overall effectiveness
Good
What it's like to attend
Children enter this pre-school with enthusiasm and are warmly welcomed by friendly and nurturing staff. They demonstrate high levels of confidence, behave well and show a positive attitude to learning. Children feel safe in their environment and with the staff who care for them. They spontaneously give adults a cuddle or invite them into their play.
Inspector highlights
- Children enter this pre-school with enthusiasm and are warmly welcomed by friendly and nurturing staff.
- They demonstrate high levels of confidence, behave well and show a positive attitude to learning.
- Staff plan and deliver the curriculum well to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, develop into confident and independent learners.
- Staff focus on supporting children's mental health through activities like 'pamper sessions'.
- Children play well together and show respect towards others and the environment.
- Parents are highly involved with raising funds with staff to benefit the pre-school, building a positive parent and staff relationship.
- The pre-school has formed positive links with the local community and has received donated items, such as daffodil bulbs.
- Children develop a love of books and enjoy listening to staff read traditional tales and creating their own stories.
Areas to develop
- 1Although parent partnerships are effective, staff do not always provide a consistent approach in supporting children's learning at home to help them make even more progress.
- 2engage consistently with children, particularly during quiet times, to help them recall and build on their existing knowledge.
Inspection #10299838 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff plan and deliver the curriculum well to ensure that all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, develop into confident and independent learners.
Outdoor space
Children enjoy outdoor activities, such as making bird feeders with lard and seed. Staff talk to children about different seasons and how birds need additional food in winter. This helps to support children's understanding of the world. Children talk about the texture of the lard and how it feels soft and sticky. Staff extend the activity to help further develop children's hand-eye coordination.
Google Reviews of Merry-Go-Round Pre-School
5.0
(4 Google reviews)
Emma Louise Hutchinson
9 years ago
My son attended Merry Go Round from 2 - 4 years old, when he left for primary school. The preschool and it's staff have a wonderful attitude towards nurturing the children in their care. As a parent, I was well supported with any concerns and included in decisions. The setting allows children to play indoors and outdoors, builds their confidence and helps them achieve new skills without any pressure. My son loved the large sandpit, indoor activities and story time. Merry Go Round also offer a fabulous Forest School session each week. The children are able to enjoy the outdoors under the supervision of an experienced forest school teacher. We have many lovely memories of his years at Merry Go Round and I believe it was really important in giving my son a confident start in life.
Read on Google
Emma Parker
9 years ago
My daughter went here and loved it! The staff are lovely and really friendly and the children grow and develop as individuals thanks to the care and ethos at Merry Go Round.The outdoor area is amazing with woodland area and huge sandpit,inside is full of resources for the children to play with aswell,would highly recommend to anyone looking for a pre school for their child.
Read on Google
Andrew Pieterse
9 years ago
Both my children have attended Marry-Go-Round and we couldn't be happier with Emma and the staff there. Both the boys love being there and playing in the garden area when the weather is nice.
Read on Google
Alice Butterworth
9 years ago
Reviews from Google for Merry-Go-Round Pre-School. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2024
Date: December 2009
- February 2024Good
- May 2023Requires improvement
- November 2017Good
- January 2015Good
- December 2009Good
Frequently asked about Merry-Go-Round Pre-School
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