Opening hours
Monday to Thursday, from 8.45am until 2.35pm
St Andrews Playgroup
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Feb 2024)
Number of places
30 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2024
Local authority
Kent
About this day nursery
St Andrews Playgroup in Whitstable, Kent, registered in 2007, provides outstanding childcare for children aged 2 to 4. The playgroup operates on non-domestic premises and is deeply committed to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where children thrive.
With a community-focused approach, the playgroup ensures all children make excellent progress in their learning and development. The dedicated team, including the owner and five other qualified staff, are enthusiastic and know each child individually, supporting their interests and unique ways of learning.
The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to build upon previous learning, focusing on communication skills and personal, social, and emotional development. St Andrews Playgroup is open Monday to Thursday from 8:45 am to 2:35 pm during term time, providing funded early education for eligible two, three, and four-year-old children.
What it's like
Children thrive in this nurturing playgroup, making excellent progress in their learning and development. Staff are enthusiastic and know each individual child impeccably well, ensuring children settle with ease and engage in a range of exciting experiences. Children benefit from excellent support from staff who understand each child's interests and unique ways of learning. Children have high levels of well-being, and their behaviour is excellent, as staff empower them to make the right choices and act as superb role models.
Nurturing environmentOutstanding educationCommunity approachExceptional staffIndividualised support
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Term time / All Year
Term_time_only
Established
2007
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for St Andrews Playgroup
Last inspected 5 February 2024
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children thrive in this nurturing playgroup, making excellent progress in their learning and development. Staff are enthusiastic and know each individual child impeccably well, ensuring children settle with ease and engage in a range of exciting experiences. Children benefit from excellent support from staff who understand each child's interests and unique ways of learning. Children have high levels of well-being, and their behaviour is excellent, as staff empower them to make the right choices and act as superb role models.
Inspector highlights
- All children make excellent progress in their learning and development.
- Leaders and staff build a community approach that is inclusive to all.
- The quality of teaching is superb, empowering children to use their skills to think, investigate and develop their curiosity and interests.
- Children have high levels of well-being, and their behaviour is excellent.
- Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported extremely well.
- Staff ensure that children learn about life in modern Britain and the fundamental British values.
- The whole staff team has developed remarkable relationships with parents and their extended families.
- There is an excellent key-person system, which is established from the very beginning and supports the development of relationships.
- Staff are extremely proud to be a part of this exceptional playgroup.
- Staff and children embrace the celebrations of various cultures and religious events.
Inspection #10323462 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive excellent support. The passionate and knowledgeable special educational needs coordinator, who is also the manager, works closely with parents, carers, and other agencies to create individualised plans that are regularly reviewed. The staff ensure an inclusive environment and activities for all children.
EAL / language support
Staff are highly skilled in supporting children's communication and language, including for those who speak English as an additional language. They dedicate time to teaching key words in children's home languages to help them settle and support their well-being.
Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2024
Date: May 2011
- February 2024Outstanding
- June 2018Good
- March 2015Good
- May 2011Outstanding
Frequently asked about St Andrews Playgroup
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