--- title: "St Matthews Playgroup — Rated Good by Ofsted" description: "St Matthews Playgroup, a nursery in Gloucestershire — Ofsted-rated Good. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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Behaviour and kindness are strong, with children sharing and following the golden rules. Staff also place a clear emphasis on independence, including simple self-care tasks and tidying away." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does St Matthews Playgroup support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities make good progress. Staff notice gaps early, respond without delay, and work with parents and other professionals so children receive the extra help needed. This approach keeps support closely matched to each child’s needs." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the staff team like at St Matthews Playgroup?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The team is described as dedicated, with a combined 30 years of early years experience. Staff work together to provide care and equal opportunities through a range of play activities and learning experiences." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [South West](/search?region=South+West) 4. St Matthews Playgroup # St Matthews Playgroup Compare Contact Nursery 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 - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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 play Nurturing environment Parent partnership Experienced 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 ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of St Matthews Playgroup Inspection date Sept 2022 Inspection no. 10233538 Lead inspector Michelle Grayling Safeguarding arrangements are effective [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50197678)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/101674) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Reveal phone number [ Visit website ](https://www.st-matthewsplaygroup.com) Church Hall, Church Road, Gloucestershire, GL5 4LH 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) [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-2.24703/51.74255/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Gloucestershire - [Day nurseries in Gloucestershire](/search?q=Gloucestershire) - [Day nurseries in South West](/search?q=South+West) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=st-matthews-playgroup-gl5-4lh-101674) 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 - 1 ensure that staff support quieter children as much as possible to express their thoughts and ideas and to help them benefit fully from learning experiences - 2 strengthen 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: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50197678) ## 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 2022 Good - September 2022 Good - December 2016 Good - December 2016 Good - December 2013 Good - December 2013 Good - April 2009 Requires improvement - August 2005 Good - September 2003 Good ## Frequently asked about St Matthews Playgroup ### Does St Matthews Playgroup have an Ofsted rating? ### How many places does St Matthews Playgroup have? ### What are the main strengths at St Matthews Playgroup? ### How does St Matthews Playgroup support children with SEND? ### What is the staff team like at 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 ## Nearby day nurseries in Gloucestershire Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to St Matthews Playgroup. - [ Ofsted: Good 0.2 mi ### Your Co-op Little Pioneers Nursery and Pre-School, Cainscross Caincross · GL5 4JG ](/nursery/your-co-op-little-pioneers-nursery-and-pre-school-cainscross-gl5-4jg-ey282250) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.5 mi ### Cashes Green Playgroup Stroud · GL5 4NL ](/nursery/cashes-green-playgroup-gl5-4nl-101678) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.6 mi ### Curious Caterpillars Day Nursery Stroud · GL5 4HL 4.2(6 reviews) ](/nursery/curious-caterpillars-day-nursery-gl5-4hl-ey488416) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.8 mi ### Sunlands Kindergarten Stroud · GL5 4EX ](/nursery/sunlands-kindergarten-gl5-4ex-ey540224) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.1 mi ### BarBar Nursery @ Stratford Park Stroud · GL5 4AF ](/nursery/barbar-nursery-stratford-park-gl5-4af-ey430712) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.1 mi ### BarBar Nursery @ The Rosary Stroud · GL5 4AB ](/nursery/barbar-nursery-the-rosary-gl5-4ab-ey430748) [See all nurseries in Gloucestershire →](/search?q=Gloucestershire) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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