--- title: "(Closed) Sparrows Playgroup — Rated Good by Ofsted" description: "This nursery has closed. Sparrows Playgroup, a nursery in Colchester — Ofsted-rated Good. See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923#nursery" }, "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923#breadcrumb" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", "[data-speakable]" ] } }, { "@type": "ChildCare", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923#nursery", "name": "Sparrows Playgroup", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressCountry": "GB", "streetAddress": "St. Peter & St. Paul", "addressLocality": "High Street", "postalCode": "CO5 8QD" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923#webpage" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 51.775549, "longitude": 0.911491 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "COLCHESTER" } ], "audience": { "@type": "PeopleAudience", "suggestedMinAge": 2, "suggestedMaxAge": 4 }, "award": "Ofsted: Good" }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Nurseries", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "East of England", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?region=East%20of%20England" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sparrows Playgroup", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the opening hours at Sparrows Playgroup?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Sparrows Playgroup operates on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday during school term time. Sessions run from 9.15am to 11.45am on Monday and Friday, and from 9am to 2.45pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What outdoor activities does Sparrows Playgroup offer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The outdoor area supports active play and early learning. Children run, chase bubbles and use ribbons in the wind, build in small groups, and take part in simple measuring activities. Staff also guide safe risk-taking on a grassy bank and during hill play." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How was Sparrows Playgroup rated by Ofsted?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Sparrows Playgroup was rated Good at its inspection on 06/06/2025." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [East of England](/search?region=East+of+England) 4. Sparrows Playgroup # Sparrows Playgroup Compare Contact Nursery 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 - About - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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 curriculum Supportive staff Outdoor learning Good communication Child-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 - 1 Continue to strengthen opportunities to work in partnerships with parents and encourage them to routinely share what they know about their children. - 2 Improve the routine at snack time so that it does not interrupt children's play. - 3 Continue to encourage children's use of books and help them understand how to take care of them. Inspection #10368920 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50280614) 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 2025 Good - September 2024 Requires improvement - November 2018 Good - October 2014 Good - February 2012 Good ## Frequently asked about Sparrows Playgroup ### What are the opening hours at Sparrows Playgroup? ### What outdoor activities does Sparrows Playgroup offer? ### How was Sparrows Playgroup rated by Ofsted? ## Nearby day nurseries in COLCHESTER Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Sparrows Playgroup. - [ Ofsted: Outstanding <0.2 mi ### The Mulberry Bush Montessori Nursery Colchester · CO5 8JB ](/nursery/the-mulberry-bush-montessori-nursery-ltd-co5-8jb-ey479688) - [ Ofsted: Good 2.7 mi ### Little Doves Day Nursery Colchester · CO5 7PR ](/nursery/little-doves-day-nursery-co5-7pr-ey561046) - [ Ofsted: Good 5.5 mi ### Munchkins Nursery and Pre School Colchester · CO7 0AB 5.0(68 reviews) ](/nursery/munchkins-nursery-and-pre-school-co7-0ab-2621339) - [ Ofsted: Outstanding 5.5 mi ### Diddydots Nursery Southminster · CM0 7LY ](/nursery/diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711) - [ Ofsted: Good 5.6 mi ### Brightlingsea Playcentre Brightlingsea · CO7 0NL ](/nursery/brightlingsea-playcentre-co7-0nl-ey539971) - [ Ofsted: Good 5.7 mi ### Tillingham Pre-School Tillingham · CM0 7TW ](/nursery/tillingham-pre-school-cm0-7tw-203701) [See all nurseries in COLCHESTER →](/search?q=COLCHESTER) ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Sparrows Playgroup Inspection date Jun 2025 Inspection no. 10368920 [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50280614)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY429923) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed St. Peter & St. Paul, High Street, COLCHESTER, CO5 8QD Loading map… ## Explore day nurseries near COLCHESTER - [Day nurseries in COLCHESTER](/search?q=COLCHESTER) - [Day nurseries in East of England](/search?q=East+of+England) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details. [Claim listing](/claim?nursery=sparrows-playgroup-co5-8qd-ey429923) ### Share this nursery Send to a partner, friend or family member. 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