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St. Marys Preschool Playgroup

Ofsted: Good
(Oct 2021)
·322 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, IP4 4BD · Suffolk
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Oct 2021
Local authority
Suffolk

About this day nursery

St. Mary's Pre-school, located in Ipswich, Suffolk, offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 2 to 5 years old. Since its establishment in April 1999, the pre-school has been dedicated to providing high-quality care and education.

Operating from St. Mary's Church Hall, the pre-school runs ten sessions weekly from Monday to Friday, between 9:30 am and 3:30 pm, with early access options available. As a registered charity, St. Mary's is committed to fostering children's learning and development in collaboration with parents, contributing positively to the local community, and upholding principles of equality and diversity.

The pre-school accepts various government funding schemes for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds, ensuring accessibility for different family circumstances. They also offer early access sessions at an additional cost.

The pre-school works to provide a diverse range of opportunities for children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, through initiatives like the Early Years Pupil Premium.

What it's like

Children are happy to attend this friendly pre-school, feeling settled, safe and secure. They increase their confidence by exploring the environment and making choices, enjoying role-play and developing friendships. The children are familiar with daily routines, follow instructions, and benefit from staff support for their developing speech and language skills.

Registered CharityHigh-Quality Care and EducationCommunity-FocusedEarly Years Pupil Premium

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged per session, with rates tiered by age for non-funded hours. An early access option is available for an additional charge. Fees are invoiced half-termly in advance.

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Good to know

  • Fees are payable half-termly, in advance.
  • Invoices include a half-termly donation for healthy snacks.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday - Friday, 9:30am - 3:30pm

Age range

2 to 5 years

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Session types

Morning, Afternoon

Established

1999

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for St. Marys Preschool Playgroup

Last inspected 18 October 2021 · Karen Harris

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 to attend this friendly pre-school, feeling settled, safe and secure. They increase their confidence by exploring the environment and making choices, enjoying role-play and developing friendships. The children are familiar with daily routines, follow instructions, and benefit from staff support for their developing speech and language skills.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are happy and confident in the pre-school environment.
  • Staff effectively use children's interests to aid learning through play.
  • Partnerships with parents and carers are strong, with positive feedback on communication and support.
  • Children are supported to become independent, learning self-care skills and hygiene.
  • Children have many opportunities for physical play and develop skills for future learning.

Areas to develop

  • 1Support staff to ensure that all children have equally high-quality learning opportunities.
  • 2Ensure staff minimise disruption to children's engagement in activities and give children the time to complete activities to their own satisfaction.
  • 3Enable children to share more about the languages, traditions and cultural practices they experience at home.
Inspection #10148343 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents express their thoughts and comment positively on the pre-school and the activities available to their children.

They value the information that staff share about their children and highlight the effective communication and support offered.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children benefit from the high priority staff give to supporting children's developing speech and language skills. Staff quickly identify where there are delays or concerns and manage these well, seeking support from other professionals when necessary.

Outdoor space

Children all know what to do when staff say it is time for the 'daily mile'. Children find their coats and line up, ready to be counted, before going outdoors with staff to walk around the priest garden. Children have many opportunities for physical play, are eager to climb on the climbing frame and slide down the slope, and enjoy using jumping sacks.

Inspection history

Date: May 2005

  • November 2021Good
  • October 2021Good
  • March 2020Requires improvement
  • February 2020Requires improvement
  • May 2016Outstanding
  • April 2016Outstanding
  • March 2011Outstanding
  • February 2011Outstanding
  • November 2007Good
  • May 2005Good

Frequently asked about St. Marys Preschool Playgroup

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