First Steps Community Playgroup

In June 2025, bikes in the school playground and the Big Brush Club, helping children learn to brush their teeth independently, gave First Steps Community Playgroup a practical character. At its June 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, with a curriculum shaped around children's interests and their next steps towards school.

The playgroup has capacity for 33 children. In June 2025, the children attending were aged two to four; the setting operated on the Exeter site of Stoke Hill Infant School. Its school setting gave children space for outdoor activity as well as indoor learning.

In June 2025, the early years foundation stage provided the framework for children's learning, development and care: conversation, play, physical activity and stories helped children build skills for everyday life and school. Staff adjusted themes to keep children interested, linking activities to what they already understood and what they needed to learn next.

Language ran through the day. Adults introduced vocabulary during play and encouraged children to explain ideas and feelings. Familiar books, songs and rhymes supported early sound awareness, while purposeful hand activities developed fine motor control. There was a clear teaching improvement to make: questions needed greater precision so adults could spot misunderstandings and explain ideas more clearly.

Outdoor activity had a concrete purpose. In June 2025, riding bikes around the school playground developed coordination and balance alongside road-safety awareness. The Big Brush Club brought a daily-life skill into learning too, connecting independent toothbrushing with an understanding of oral care.

At the June 2025 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding, close key-person relationships and support that enabled disadvantaged children and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to participate fully in learning.

In June 2025, staff shared information with parents about children's wellbeing and daily experiences, giving families something useful to build on at home. Adults demonstrated considerate behaviour and helped children practise sharing and turn-taking. Older children spoke confidently about starting school, making that next step part of everyday conversation.

The address is C/O Stoke Hill First School, Stoke Hill, Exeter, EX4 7DB.

In June 2025, playgroup opening hours were 9am to 3pm on weekdays in term time. School-age wraparound care ran from 7.30am to 9am and from 3pm to 6pm, while the holiday club operated from 8am to 5pm. These were different services for different attendance needs, rather than one continuous preschool booking pattern.

In June 2025, the playgroup received government funding for early education for children aged two, three and four. Attendance on school grounds does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Teaching questions. The June 2025 improvement point concerned identifying misunderstandings and explaining ideas clearly. On a visit, ask how staff have developed their questioning during play.
• Different care patterns. The June 2025 arrangements separated term-time playgroup hours, school-age wraparound care and a holiday club. Which current pattern fits your child's age and your working day?

The June 2025 arrangements suited families seeking term-time preschool care and school-age children needing care before or after school. Playground cycling, practical oral-care learning and everyday conversation gave the inspected provision recognisable substance. More precise questioning was the clear next step for teaching.