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The Lodge Playgroup

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2024)
·
5.0(1 parent reviews) ·Daubeney Middle School, Orchard Street, BEDFORD, MK42 7PS · Bedford
Number of places
20 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2024
Local authority
Bedford

About this day nursery

The Lodge Playgroup is a welcoming and nurturing childcare setting in Kempston, Bedford, which has proudly held a "Good" Ofsted rating since its latest inspection on 29th January 2024. Established in 2008, the playgroup operates during term-time, offering care and education for children aged 2 to 4 years.

The opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 9am to 3pm, and on Fridays from 9am until midday. Children quickly form secure relationships with the dedicated staff, fostering a positive environment where they can confidently play and explore.

The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to be practical, supporting all children in building on their learning and making good progress, with a strong focus on developing language and communication skills. Staff are adept at introducing new vocabulary and ensuring children understand, particularly benefiting those who speak English as an additional language.

The playgroup also demonstrates a good understanding of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), utilising additional funding effectively to provide tailored opportunities and promote development. Outdoor learning is an integral part of the experience, with staff actively engaging children in activities both indoors and outdoors to enhance their learning.

Parents consistently speak highly of the setting, commending the good progress their children make, especially in speech and interactions, and praising the effective communication from staff.

What it's like

Children enjoy attending this welcoming, nurturing setting, quickly settling in due to secure relationships with staff. Staff have high expectations for children's individuality, fostering a positive environment where children confidently play, explore, and develop skills for future learning. Children concentrate on their play and set themselves challenges, such as lining up items and identifying sizes, demonstrating their understanding of concepts like "bigger, biggest" and "smallest".

Welcoming, nurturing settingSecure relationships with staffGood language and communicationStrong physical development focusEarly awareness of diversityEffective SEND provision

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Thursday from 9am until 3pm and on Friday from 9am until midday.

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Lodge Playgroup

Last inspected 29 January 2024 · Kelly Eyre

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 enjoy attending this welcoming, nurturing setting, quickly settling in due to secure relationships with staff. Staff have high expectations for children's individuality, fostering a positive environment where children confidently play, explore, and develop skills for future learning. Children concentrate on their play and set themselves challenges, such as lining up items and identifying sizes, demonstrating their understanding of concepts like "bigger, biggest" and "smallest".

Inspector highlights

  • Managers and staff work very well as a team, sharing a genuine enjoyment of working with children and a commitment to continuously reviewing and developing practice.
  • Staff know the children well, using this knowledge and their experience to ensure that their curriculum is practical and supports all children in building on their learning and making good progress.
  • Thorough monitoring of children's development means that any weaker areas are quickly addressed, and additional funding is used well by the manager to offer children additional opportunities and promote their development.
  • Children gain good language and communication skills, as staff introduce new vocabulary and check understanding, which children then use in their play.
  • Staff have a good knowledge of child development and build on children's physical skills in preparation for early writing, for example, through exploring paint and ice in a tray.
  • Specific activities and discussions support children in gaining an early awareness of diversity, sparking their interest in finding out more, for example, by talking about different festivals and sharing traditional dishes.

Areas to develop

  • 1aid staff in further building on children's learning, for example, for the most-able children and to engage the youngest children, to fully extend their learning.
Inspection #10316845 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak highly of the setting.

They note the good progress their children are making, particularly in their speech and interactions.

Parents praise staff and their good communication.

They report that ongoing discussions and written information aid them in understanding what children are learning and building on this at home.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The manager's good understanding of each child means that additional funding is used well to offer children additional opportunities and to promote their development.

Outdoor space

The inspector observed staff interaction with children during activities indoors and outdoors and assessed the impact this has on children's learning. The inspector reviewed outdoor activities with the manager.

Parent Reviews of The Lodge Playgroup

5.0
(1)

Reviews from Google for The Lodge Playgroup. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: January 2009

  • January 2024Good
  • May 2018Good
  • May 2015Good
  • January 2009Good

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