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St Matthew's Playgroup

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2024)
·St. Matthews Playgroup, Chadderton Hall Road, Oldham, OL1 2RQ · Oldham
Number of places
40 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2024
Local authority
Oldham

About this day nursery

St Matthew's Playgroup, located in Oldham, OL1 2RQ, is a cheerful and inviting early years setting established in 1997. It offers full day care during term time, operating from 8:45 am to 3:45 pm, Monday to Friday.

The playgroup is led by a dedicated committee and staffed by nine members, including a manager, with two holding early years professional status and four qualified at level 3. The playgroup focuses on providing a rich and varied curriculum tailored to the children's individual needs, ensuring they feel secure and well-cared for.

Children from 2 to 4 years old are inspired to explore and develop their skills through activities like imaginative play, outdoor learning, and focused mathematics. The setting places a high value on partnership with parents, encouraging their involvement in discussions about their children's progress and experiences.

St Matthew's Playgroup also provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children, supporting a strong start to their educational journey.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming setting. They leave their parents and carers with a wave, excited to start the day. Staff know the children well and use this information to help meet their individual needs. Staff spend dedicated time with children when they first start, sensitively providing reassurance and offering experiences that engage them. This means children feel secure, as they receive care and attention. This helps to promote their overall well-being.

Warm and welcomingRich curriculumStrong parent partnershipPromotes independenceOutdoor play opportunitiesStrong focus on SEND

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

8.45am to 3.45pm, from Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

Term_time_only

Established

1997

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for St Matthew's Playgroup

Last inspected 10 September 2024

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming setting. They leave their parents and carers with a wave, excited to start the day. Staff know the children well and use this information to help meet their individual needs. Staff spend dedicated time with children when they first start, sensitively providing reassurance and offering experiences that engage them. This means children feel secure, as they receive care and attention. This helps to promote their overall well-being.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming setting and leave their parents and carers with a wave, excited to start the day.
  • Staff know the children well and use this information to help meet their individual needs, sensitively providing reassurance and offering engaging experiences.
  • Staff provide children with a rich and varied curriculum, engaging well with children as they play, ensuring children build on their skills over time.
  • Staff support children to recognise their emotions and resolve conflicts, promoting independence and kind interactions.
  • Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play, enjoying imaginative games, football, sand, and water activities.
  • Mathematics is promoted well, with staff supporting children to count objects and recognise numbers and plan focus activities.
  • Staff promote children's communication and language skills extremely well, using clear narration and emphasising words.
  • Parents and carers express genuine happiness about the care their children receive, appreciating the communication and their children's progress.
  • The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with an open and positive culture that puts children's interests first.

Areas to develop

  • 1Continue to monitor and strengthen staff practice to raise the quality of teaching for all children.
Inspection #10350927 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The setting works closely with parents and other professionals to make timely referrals for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. It uses funding to provide one-to-one and small-group sessions. The setting offers intense support for children to close gaps in their learning. It places a strong focus on helping children to transition to school when the time comes.

Outdoor space

Children have daily opportunities for outdoor play. They love playing outside together, and staff provide a range of opportunities for them to develop their physical skills. Children enjoy playing imaginative games and football with their friends. They engage in sand and water activities. Staff encourage children and show them how to use resources, which helps to extend children's learning.

Inspection history
  • September 2024Good
  • November 2015Good
  • December 2011Good

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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