Session types
Morning (9am-12pm), Afternoon (1pm-4pm), All day with Lunch Club, Lunch Club (12pm-1pm)
Sandbrook Community Playgroup
Ofsted: Good
(May 2024)
Number of places
22 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2024
Local authority
Hackney
About this day nursery
Sandbrook Community Playgroup, situated in a charming Stoke Newington Victorian house, aims to replicate the warm and inviting atmosphere of a friend's home for a playdate. This small, friendly, and fun playgroup provides care and education for children aged two to five years old during weekdays, operating from 9 am to 4 pm during term time.
The playgroup's core vision is to be an outstanding community resource, accessible to all children regardless of their background, fostering an inclusive environment. Sandbrook strives to integrate seamlessly within the community, offering a supportive network that strengthens families and enhances the lives of children in Hackney.
It places a strong emphasis on high-quality care where children can safely engage in play and learning with their peers, and parents are actively encouraged to participate in their child's early education journey. By offering support to families, Sandbrook aims to provide children with a solid foundation, equipping them with essential life skills for adulthood.
As a registered charity and non-profit organisation, Sandbrook Community Playgroup, established in 1976, is dedicated to keeping its services affordable while delivering exceptional experiences for the children in its care. This commitment necessitates active fundraising to maintain low fees and ensure accessibility for families from diverse backgrounds and income levels.
The playgroup actively encourages community involvement in its fundraising efforts, welcoming support from current or prospective parents, alumni, local residents, and advocates for early years education who wish to contribute to its mission.
What it's like
Children happily rush into the small and friendly setting. Staff provide a carefully considered environment, this helps to motivate children to make choices in their play. Staff are calm, reassuring and genuinely enthusiastic. Children enjoy being at the playgroup.
Community-focusedVictorian House SettingRegistered CharityParental Involvement Encouraged
Pricing & funding
Fees are charged on an hourly basis with rates determined by the child's age. Different hourly rates apply for two-year-olds and children aged three and four, with prices effective from September 2024.
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Good to know
- Fees are billed per hour.
- Rates are structured according to age bands.
- Pricing is effective from September 2024.
Key facts
Opening hours
9am-4pm, weekdays, term time
Age range
2-5 years
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Established
1978
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Sandbrook Community Playgroup
Last inspected 2 May 2024 · Joanna Wilkinson
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 happily rush into the small and friendly setting. Staff provide a carefully considered environment, this helps to motivate children to make choices in their play. Staff are calm, reassuring and genuinely enthusiastic. Children enjoy being at the playgroup.
Inspector highlights
- The manager has a strong understanding of her responsibilities, including safeguarding and meeting children's individual needs.
- Staff complete accurate assessments of children's development. They have a clear understanding of what they want children to learn next.
- An effective key-person system is in place. Staff personalise the settling-in process for children who may struggle to ease into the playgroup.
- Staff support children's communication and language well. They sing nursery rhymes with the children, ask questions and allow time for children to respond.
- Working in partnership with parents is a strength in this setting. Parents are complimentary about the staff and how they are encouraged to support the playgroup.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff's understanding of how to implement the learning intentions for activities, so they are clear on what skills and knowledge they want younger children to gain
- 2revisit coaching for staff regarding the use of support strategies, so all children develop their understanding of transitions in the routines.
Inspection #10339375 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The nursery's special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo) ensures that children have clearly devised individual support plans. She follows advice from external professionals closely. Staff generally use interventions well to interact with children.
Outdoor space
Children access fresh air daily and take part in physical activities, such as yoga. The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this has on children's learning.
Parent Reviews of Sandbrook Community Playgroup
5.0
(5)
Emma Brooke / Haman
3 years ago
We love Sandbrook! Two of my children have attended Sandbrook Playgroup prior to starting school and they've loved it. A small caring setting run by a devoted team who go above and beyond to make sure the children have the most wonderful time. It really is a hidden gem in N16 :)
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Olivia DuniganHarrison
9 years ago
Our son started at Sandbrook in October and absolutely loves it...in fact, he bangs on the door saying, "let me in", if he thinks they don't answer the door promptly enough! He happily strolls right in when I drop him off and when I collect him after the Lunch Club he is a bright and happy little boy who often doesn't want to leave! As parents we love the Tapestry updates which we frequently receive and overall we've been thrilled with both the management and the pastoral care at Sandbrook. Highly recommend.
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Robert Fiszer
10 years ago
My son has just started and he really loves it. Every day he brings home a piece o art made by himself, which he is very proud of. Staff is nice and helpful, the place is very cosy, set in a small terraced house. The playgroup is also very affordable. You can have your 15 free weekly hours and add on any three-hour sessions for just £10. I would recommend it to anyone!
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n nosch
11 years ago
This is a fantastic playgroup where I have been sending all of my children to. The friendly environment with all the learning possibilities helped them to become confident little characters who were happy and well prepared to start reception class.
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Domino Domingo
3 years ago
Reviews from Google for Sandbrook Community Playgroup. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: February 2004
- June 2024Good
- May 2024Good
- July 2018Good
- July 2018Good
- July 2015Good
- July 2015Good
- June 2009Good
- April 2009Good
- July 2006Requires improvement
- February 2004Good
Frequently asked about Sandbrook Community Playgroup
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