Silverhill Playgroup

Cardboard boxes for imaginative play and frogspawn to investigate give Silverhill Playgroup's March 2022 picture its character: everyday objects became starting points for exploration. Ofsted rated the playgroup Good on 2 March 2022.

Based at St. Lukes Church Hall in Alma Terrace, St. Leonards-on-Sea, it has capacity for 30 children. The children attending in March 2022 were aged two to four; that age range belongs to the inspection period.

In March 2022, children used reference books and pictures to investigate frogspawn, while older children negotiated how cardboard boxes would become part of their pretend play. These activities brought observation and shared decision-making into ordinary play.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. In practice, its learning through play was illustrated in March 2022 by a walk to a local shop for pancake ingredients: children encountered vocabulary in a situation where they could use it.

A large indoor play area gave children space to practise movement, with free-flow access outdoors. There, tending plants and experimenting with water in jugs and buckets added hands-on exploration. Bonnie, the cooking bear taken home by children, connected cooking experiences with conversations back at playgroup.

At the March 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described support for children with speech delay, including simple signing to help communication.

In March 2022, a daily communication book carried information both ways between staff and parents, including developmental updates. Stories about emotions and feelings dolls in a quiet area gave children ways to discuss worries. Staff also helped children resolve disagreements, making social relationships part of the day's learning.

Children took turns serving snacks and poured their own drinks. These small responsibilities gave independence a practical outlet.

The address is St. Lukes Church Hall, Alma Terrace, St. Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 6QT.

In March 2022, attendance was term-time only. Sessions ran from 9am to 3pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, with morning sessions from 9am to midday on Tuesday and Friday. That pattern combined longer term-time days with shorter mornings, rather than providing the same length of day throughout the week.

At that time, the playgroup provided funded early years education for two-, three- and four-year-olds.

• Attendance pattern. The March 2022 timetable combined three longer days with two mornings during term time. Before joining, ask which sessions, accepted ages and funded-hour arrangements now apply.
• Using new skills independently. In March 2022, children needed more consistent encouragement and resources to carry learning from small groups into their own play. Look for how staff make that connection during a visit.
• Sharing home experiences. The March 2022 improvement priorities included giving children more opportunities to share their backgrounds. Ask how experiences from each child's home become part of playgroup life.

Silverhill's March 2022 picture combines practical exploration, room to move and small opportunities for independence. The March 2022 account will appeal to families looking for practical exploration through play; its historical timetable accommodated both longer term-time days and shorter morning sessions. The strongest decision point is how today's practice builds on the two improvement priorities: applying new skills independently and sharing children's home experiences.