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Playaway Preschool

Ofsted: Good
(May 2023)
·
5.0(9 parent reviews) ·Kingswood Congregational Church, Hanham Road, BRISTOL, BS15 8PW · South Gloucestershire
Number of places
38 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2023
Local authority
South Gloucestershire

About this day nursery

Playaway Preschool, established in 1968, originally operated from the YMCA Park Road in Kingswood, initially functioning as a playgroup and parent and toddler group. In 1999, it relocated to its current address at Kingswood Congregational Church.

By April 2002, the service expanded from sessions only to full-day care. The preschool caters to children aged 2 to 5 years old, offering a variety of session times from Monday to Friday, including morning (9 am to 12 pm), afternoon (12 pm to 3 pm), or full-day (9 am to 3 pm) options.

For added flexibility, an early drop-off at 8 am and a later pick-up at 4 pm are also available. The pre-school accepts various Nursery Education Grant funding options, including the 30 hours funding for eligible families.

Owned and managed by Nicola Long since September 2011, Playaway Preschool operates with a team of six qualified staff members, including a Pre-school Leader with a BA Hons, a Deputy Leader, and Assistants. All staff hold a Level 3 childcare qualification and a current Paediatric First Aid Certificate, and they regularly attend educational courses to ensure adherence to best practices in early childhood education.

The preschool strives to create a secure, joyful, and stimulating environment, working in collaboration with parents and carers to nurture children's learning potential through a diverse range of engaging activities, often exploring the local community and utilising their garden space.

What it's like

Staff welcome children warmly, who then settle quickly and choose from a range of interesting activities. There is a strong emphasis on developing children's communication and language, and staff know the children well, planning an inclusive curriculum.

Accepts 15 and 30 hours fundingFlexible session timesExperienced and qualified staffEstablished since 1968

Pricing & funding

Charges are structured around standard three-hour sessions, with additional options for early starts and extended sessions. A registration fee is required for non-funded children, while funded children pay a refundable deposit to hold their place.

Funding accepted

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

Good to know

  • Registration fee is non-refundable for children not yet claiming the nursery education grant.
  • A deposit is required to hold a place for children accessing the grant immediately, refunded upon joining.
  • Deposits are non-refundable if the child does not join as planned.
  • A voluntary snack donation is invoiced monthly.
  • Late collection charges apply.

Key facts

Session types

Morning sessions (9:00 am - 12:00 pm), Afternoon sessions (12:00 pm - 3:00 pm), Full day sessions (9:00 am - 3:00 pm), Early start (8:00 am - 9:00 am), Extended session (3:00 pm - 4:00 pm)

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Age range

2 to 5 years old

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Staff

7

Established

2011

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Playaway Preschool

Last inspected 26 May 2023 · Verrity Simons

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

Staff welcome children warmly, who then settle quickly and choose from a range of interesting activities. There is a strong emphasis on developing children's communication and language, and staff know the children well, planning an inclusive curriculum.

Inspector highlights

  • Children make active choices and direct their own learning through their interests.
  • Staff sing songs to children as they play and enthusiastically read stories, broadening imagination and extending vocabulary.
  • Children behave well and know the routine, with staff respectful and modelling polite communication.
  • Children have a good understanding of a healthy lifestyle and are physically active, using climbing walls to build core strength.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to extend older children's mathematical development in activities
  • 2strengthen the transition for the younger children moving up to the next age group to further support the care and learning leads.
Inspection #10280221 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment on how staff provide support with resources and experiences to develop their child's learning.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Parents of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) speak highly of the setting. The manager uses additional funding to promote children's well-being and learning.

Outdoor space

Children arrive happy and settle quickly, choosing from a range of interesting activities indoors and outdoors. Other children choose to play in the mud kitchen, looking for bugs.

Parent Reviews of Playaway Preschool

5.0
(9)
Shannon Mayhead
3 years ago

Honestly could not recommend this nursery enough, my daughter attended here last year before starting school and my sister currently goes and WOW. I have many regrets in my life but sending my daughter there will never be one of them. Every single staff member is so lovely and genuine and you can tell they do what they do because they really care. Such a beautiful bunch of women that I would trust with my daughter and sisters life. I will always recommend this place to anyone I know!

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Lisa Giddings
3 years ago

I literally do not have the words to say how outstanding this nursery is, my daughter has been going here for 2 years now and it's the best decision I've made. The support and kindness the staff has shown me is honestly unbelievable. I've had a few bad experiences in the past with other nurseries but this one is something else. I will forever be grateful on the impact they have made in mine and my daughter's life.

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bxxn_ csb
7 years ago

All 4 of my children have been here . With one still there and another on the way which will also be attending as I fill this is a great pre-school. All staff are amazing so friendly and helpful and as helped my children with the levels they need to reach before heading there way into big school. So thankful to Nicky and all her team .

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Claire Nicholls
7 years ago

Four of my children have attended and still go to this preschool. My daughter first started this preschool after having to change her from another preschool she absolutely loved it so then my twin boys started they also love it and now my youngest has just started there, I would highly recommend the preschool to anybody.

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Kirsty Rosewarne
7 years ago

All three of my childeren have been to this preschool and loved it. My son still goes. The staff are great, friendly and helpful. Highly recommend.

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Reviews from Google for Playaway Preschool. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: December 2014

  • May 2023Good
  • September 2017Good
  • December 2014Good

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