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St Matthews Playgroup

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2022)
·Church Hall, Church Road, Gloucestershire, GL5 4LH · Gloucestershire
Number of places
24 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2022
Local authority
Gloucestershire

About this day nursery

St. Matthew's Playgroup, located in Stroud, Gloucestershire, provides a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to develop through play and social interaction. Established in a church hall, the playgroup focuses on creating a safe and welcoming space that supports learning and fosters positive attitudes.

The curriculum is freely structured, incorporating a variety of stimulating activities designed to build confidence and promote cooperation among children. The playgroup values each child equally and works in close partnership with parents to support their children's social, emotional, and personal development.

The setting prides itself on its dedicated team, with over 30 years of combined experience in early years education, offering a fun and caring atmosphere for all. St. Matthew's Playgroup has been recognised by Ofsted for its highly nurturing staff and the positive impact they have on children's confidence and behaviour, ensuring children settle quickly and form strong bonds.

The playgroup offers flexible session times throughout the week for both pre-schoolers and two- and three-year-olds.

Our ethos

At St Matthew's, we work closely with parents to promote positive attitudes towards learning as well as to support opportunities for social, emotional and personal development. We provide a freely structured environment for learning through play and a range of stimulating activities to develop confidence and encourage cooperation. All children are valued equally at St Matthew's Playgroup.

What it's like

Children thrive in the care of the highly nurturing staff at the playgroup. They grow in confidence and settle quickly, feeling safe and ready to explore. Staff act as positive role models, reinforcing "golden rules" and celebrating achievements to build self-esteem.

Learning through playNurturing environmentParent partnershipExperienced staff

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged at a flat hourly rate for all sessions. Invoicing is processed on a termly basis, with payments accepted via BACS.

Funding accepted

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

Good to know

  • Invoiced on a termly basis.
  • Payment is made via BACS.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday: 9am-3pm (Pre School), 9am-12pm (Two and Three); Tuesday: 9am-3pm (Pre School); Wednesday: 9am-3pm (Pre School), 9am-12pm (Two and Three); Thursday: 9am-3pm (Pre School), 9am-12pm (Two and Three)

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for St Matthews Playgroup

Last inspected 29 September 2022 · Michelle Grayling

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 thrive in the care of the highly nurturing staff at the playgroup. They grow in confidence and settle quickly, feeling safe and ready to explore. Staff act as positive role models, reinforcing "golden rules" and celebrating achievements to build self-esteem.

Inspector highlights

  • Children thrive in the care of highly nurturing staff.
  • Children's behaviour and kindness are good, with children offering to share with friends.
  • Staff have high expectations for all children to be successful in their learning.
  • Partnerships with parents are strong, with open mornings to discuss progress.
  • Staff support children's independence skills very well, like peeling fruit and tidying up.

Areas to develop

  • 1ensure that staff support quieter children as much as possible to express their thoughts and ideas and to help them benefit fully from learning experiences
  • 2strengthen the arrangements for monitoring staff practice to ensure that minor weaknesses are identified and addressed swiftly, to raise the quality of teaching to a consistently high level.
Inspection #10233538 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak highly of the playgroup. They report how their children have grown in confidence since attending. Parents also say how well staff support children's speech and language, as children say new words they have learned when at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

All children make good progress, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. If staff notice gaps in children's learning or development, they respond quickly and work effectively with parents and other professionals to ensure that children receive the extra help they need.

Outdoor space

Children strengthen their large- and small-muscle skills during activities. They pedal bikes, push wheeled toys and develop their hand muscles when creating patterns with pegs. Staff also teach children to put on their high-visibility jackets independently before going outside.

Inspection history

Date: September 2003

  • November 2022Good
  • September 2022Good
  • December 2016Good
  • December 2016Good
  • December 2013Good
  • December 2013Good
  • April 2009Requires improvement
  • August 2005Good
  • September 2003Good

Frequently asked about St Matthews Playgroup

About the setting

St Matthews Playgroup has been operating since 1979 and is based in St Matthews Church Hall, which is to the west of Stroud town centre, Gloucestershire. The playgroup operates from Monday to Friday during term time only. The playgroup employs five members of staff, all of whom hold relevant early years qualifications. The manager holds a qualification at level 4.

URN
101674
Registered person
St Matthews Playgroup Committee
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Good

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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