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St Gabriel's Playgroup

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2024)
·St Gabriel's Hall, East Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9QH · West Sussex
Number of places
50 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2024
Local authority
West Sussex

About this early years setting

St Gabriel's Playgroup in Billingshurst, West Sussex, provides term-time care for children from two to five years old. It is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.15pm and accepts government funding for eligible children from the age of nine months. The playgroup was registered with Ofsted in 1992.

In October 2024, Ofsted inspected the playgroup and judged it to be Good. The inspector reported that children are happy, settled, and feel safe and secure. Staff were observed helping children engage in activities to practise fine motor skills and develop language. The outdoor area includes a climbing frame and a slide. Ofsted highlighted that partnerships with parents are strong, with parents feeling well informed, and that support for children's communication and language development had greatly improved.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled at the playgroup. Staff welcome children and allow them time to settle and say goodbye to parents, helping children to feel safe and secure. Children engage in activities, practice fine motor skills, and develop language through focused exercises.

Ofsted Rated GOODTerm Time CareCharity-runFlexible Hours and PaymentsExperienced and Professionally Trained Staff

Pricing & funding

The nursery charges for additional hours outside of booked sessions and applies a penalty fee for late pick-ups. Extra hours must be pre-approved by the manager.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Good to know

  • Extra hours must be agreed in advance by the Manager.
  • Late fees are charged for pick-ups delayed by up to 15 minutes.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, term time

Age range

2 to 4 years

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for St Gabriel's Playgroup

Last inspected 1 October 2024

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

Children are happy and settled at the playgroup. Staff welcome children and allow them time to settle and say goodbye to parents, helping children to feel safe and secure. Children engage in activities, practice fine motor skills, and develop language through focused exercises.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders have improved staff supervision and appraisal procedures.
  • The new leadership structure is having a positive impact on the overall day-to-day running of the playgroup.
  • Newly recruited staff meet with the manager regularly and feel supported.
  • Parents feel well informed about their children's learning, and partnerships with parents are strong.
  • Support for children's communication and language development has greatly improved.

Areas to develop

  • 1clarify the roles and responsibilities of those with oversight of the playgroup
  • 2support staff to monitor and assess children's progress more effectively to be able to plan activities that help them to make the best possible progress.
Inspection #10352611 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say they feel well informed about what their children are learning.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Outside, children enjoy climbing up the climbing frame and sliding down the slide. Staff remind children how to do this safely and support them when climbing steps.

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2024

Date: September 2011

  • October 2024Good
  • May 2024Inadequate
  • July 2023Requires improvement
  • September 2018Good
  • December 2015Good
  • July 2015Inadequate
  • September 2011Good

Frequently asked about St Gabriel's Playgroup

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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