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Sparrows Playgroup

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2025)
·St. Peter & St. Paul, High Street, COLCHESTER, CO5 8QD · Essex
Number of places
24 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2025
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Sparrows Playgroup, established in 2011 and located at St. Peter & St. Paul in West Mersea, Colchester, provides a nurturing environment for children aged 2 to 4. As a childcare on non-domestic premises setting, it operates during school term time, with sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

The dedicated team of four staff members, three of whom hold Level 2 or higher early years qualifications, ensures a good quality of education, behaviour, attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, as reflected in their latest 'Good' Ofsted rating from June 2025. The playgroup focuses on creating an engaging curriculum that spans both indoor and outdoor learning, driven by children's interests and existing knowledge.

Sparrows Playgroup is committed to supporting children's speech, language, and emotional development, offering ample opportunities for safe risk-taking and fostering independence. The management team, along with a supportive committee and staff, has worked diligently to implement positive changes since the previous 'Requires Improvement' inspection, enhancing the overall learning experience for children and establishing effective partnerships with parents.

What it's like

Children are welcomed by enthusiastic, happy staff who are genuinely pleased to see them. They confidently leave their parents and demonstrate an eagerness to explore the activities staff provide. The new management team have only been in place for a short while but have made positive changes to enhance children's learning experiences. The curriculum offers a broad range of opportunities that cover all areas of learning, both indoors and outdoors. It is designed around children's interest, and builds on what they already know. Staff carefully consider the intentions for learning as they prepare activities that inspire children to investigate and 'have a go'.

Engaging curriculumSupportive staffOutdoor learningGood communicationChild-centred

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, during school term time. Sessions are from 9.15am to 11.45am on Monday and Friday, and from 9am to 2.45pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Term time / All Year

Term_time_only

Established

2011

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Sparrows Playgroup

Last inspected 6 June 2025

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are welcomed by enthusiastic, happy staff who are genuinely pleased to see them. They confidently leave their parents and demonstrate an eagerness to explore the activities staff provide. The new management team have only been in place for a short while but have made positive changes to enhance children's learning experiences. The curriculum offers a broad range of opportunities that cover all areas of learning, both indoors and outdoors. It is designed around children's interest, and builds on what they already know. Staff carefully consider the intentions for learning as they prepare activities that inspire children to investigate and 'have a go'.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are welcomed by enthusiastic, happy staff who are genuinely pleased to see them. They confidently leave their parents and demonstrate an eagerness to explore the activities staff provide.
  • The new management team have only been in place for a short while but have made positive changes to enhance children's learning experiences.
  • The curriculum offers a broad range of opportunities that cover all areas of learning, both indoors and outdoors. It is designed around children's interest, and builds on what they already know. Staff carefully consider the intentions for learning as they prepare activities that inspire children to investigate and 'have a go'.
  • There is a strong focus on supporting children's speech and language and emotional development.
  • Children have formed close and trusting bonds with staff and understand the expectations and overall, children behave well.
  • The management team, committee and staff have worked hard since the last inspection to implement the changes. They have positively engaged with local authority advisers, and completed appropriate training to enhance their knowledge and understanding of how children learn to improve outcomes for children.
  • Staff understand the importance of effective partnership with parents and the positive impact this has on children's well-being and learning.
  • Staff speak very positively about their roles. They say they feel motivated, valued and supported and that their welfare is considered.

Areas to develop

  • 1Continue to strengthen opportunities to work in partnerships with parents and encourage them to routinely share what they know about their children.
  • 2Improve the routine at snack time so that it does not interrupt children's play.
  • 3Continue to encourage children's use of books and help them understand how to take care of them.
Inspection #10368920 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children delight in their time outdoors. They relish opportunities to run, chase bubbles and use ribbons, watching them float in the wind. Children play well in small groups and negotiate together as they use large construction. They wear hard hats and goggles in their play. Children discuss simple mathematics as they use tape measures to measure staff members. They giggle as they compare who is the largest or smallest. The outdoor curriculum provides children with many opportunities to learn and manage risks safely, supported by staff. For example, young children learn to sit on their bottom as they negotiate a grassy bank. Children understand the rules to keep safe. They challenge themselves as they make attempts to run down the hill and are appropriately guided by staff.

Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2025
  • June 2025Good
  • September 2024Requires improvement
  • November 2018Good
  • October 2014Good
  • February 2012Good

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more