St Philip and St James Playgroup

Garden insects, bubble experiments and construction play gave St Philip and St James Playgroup a practical, exploratory character in September 2025. Based on Kings Road in Fleet, it has capacity for 40 children, with an accepted age range of 24 to 60 months.

At its 11 September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the playgroup Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children received good-quality education and care that supported sustained progress. The strongest examples were ordinary experiences made useful: measuring during pretend building, learning new words through conversation and investigating nature outdoors.

In September 2025, the playgroup operated from St Philip and St James Church. Its garden and outdoor construction area supplied opportunities for children to investigate, build and explain their ideas. Children searched for insects and experimented with bubble wands; older children used cones to explain how their construction area should be kept safe.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, September 2025 examples included learning mathematical ideas through play: children explored a metre ruler while pretending to build a house, while younger children practised the meanings of full and empty using sand and containers.

Staff also introduced vocabulary through conversations and brought stories to life through expressive reading. Younger children learnt alongside older peers, with friendships and cooperative play developing across the age groups. The limitation was consistency: spontaneous moments in play did not always receive enough follow-up to stretch children's thinking.

In September 2025, staff collected information from parents before children started and used it to support settling. Children could share ideas and creations, while sensitive reminders helped them understand boundaries. Personal, social and emotional development received extra attention at the beginning of a term.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff identified additional needs promptly, adapted support and involved external professionals, including in preparation for school. This gives families a concrete picture of the support mechanisms operating at that time.

Communication in September 2025 included regular progress updates, a photograph book documenting children's activities and practical suggestions for learning at home. Everyday organisation was less consistent: staff sometimes left group play to help at the snack table despite colleagues already being there, interrupting children's engagement.

The address is Kings Road, Fleet, GU51 3AR, and the playgroup operates during term time, closing for school holidays.

In September 2025, opening hours were 9.15am to 2.45pm on weekdays other than Wednesday, when closing time was 12.45pm. At that time, the playgroup received funding for free early education for children aged three years.

• Shorter Wednesday. The September 2025 timetable ended at 12.45pm on Wednesdays. Does the current weekly timetable fit your childcare arrangements?
• Teaching during play. In September 2025, staff sometimes missed opportunities to extend children's ideas. This matters for children ready for more challenge.
• Snack-time continuity. September 2025 observations linked staff movement around snack provision with interrupted play. Smooth routines were an improvement priority alongside teaching.

This playgroup suits families seeking term-time provision and a play-based experience with outdoor exploration. Its September 2025 strengths were concrete: language-rich conversations, everyday mathematics and support adapted to individual needs. The balance is clear, with worthwhile learning experiences alongside improvement priorities around extending play and organising routines.