St David's Hill Playgroup

In October 2022, conversation, creative play and children tackling tasks for themselves characterised St David's Hill Playgroup. At its October 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding and found that communication activities helped children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those learning English as an additional language, become more confident speakers.

The Exeter setting has capacity for 24 children. Children attending in October 2022 were aged 0 to 4; the account of daily life below describes that period.

In October 2022, learning followed the early years foundation stage, the framework for children's learning, development and care: stories, conversation, creative play and practical tasks brought learning into the day. Staff waited for answers rather than rushing conversation, using songs, instruments and words from children's home languages to encourage participation.

Creative activities had purpose. Younger children painted rainbows and practised writing their names; older children used pictures in magazines to plan models with building bricks. Questions about colour, shape and quantity extended the activity beyond construction.

Outdoors that October, children compared water-filled containers, enlisted friends when something was too heavy and arranged them by weight. Plants and vegetables they grew became cooking ingredients or went home. These were practical opportunities to cooperate and connect growing with food.

At the October 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective, with staff recognising potential harm and knowing how to raise concerns. Children also helped check outdoor safety, including the gate lock and ride-on toys.

In October 2022, visual prompts, signs and home languages helped children understand routines. Sid, a cuddly toy, provided a familiar example for sitting together before outdoor play. Children tidied toys, cleared up after snacks and washed their hands before eating.

Information sharing connected parents, professionals and other settings that October. Key persons spoke with the next setting or school and discussed the move with children, giving transitions a practical preparation rather than leaving them unexplained.

The address is 41b Bonhay Road, St David's, Exeter, EX4 4BP.

In October 2022, weekday opening ran from 8am to 6pm in term time, while a holiday club operated from 9am to 4pm during school holidays. At that time, the playgroup received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Attendance planning. The October 2022 arrangements combined term-time opening with a shorter holiday-club window. At a visit, what current attendance arrangements would fit your child's age and your working week?
• Learning through participation. In October 2022, children served fruit using tweezers and worked together to move heavy water containers. Families who value practical independence have concrete examples to weigh alongside the dated Outstanding judgement.

The October 2022 account will appeal to families drawn to conversation, creative work and everyday independence, with examples extending from storytelling to cooperative outdoor tasks. The attendance arrangements described then served both term-time routines and school-holiday childcare, with different opening windows.