FIG Playgroup

FIG Playgroup is an inclusive, charity-run setting for children aged two to four at Taunton Hall in Harold Hill. Communication is central rather than an add-on: its Speech Project puts planned speech activities into every day's sessions, either one to one or in small groups. The setting has capacity for 60 children.

Ofsted rated the provision Good in March 2025, with Good judgements across education, behaviour, personal development and leadership. The strengths were warm relationships and effective safeguarding. Leaders were asked to improve how teaching stretches children at different stages and how adult-led group activities engage everyone.

The playgroup runs in term time. Families can choose three-hour morning or afternoon sessions, or one of two six-hour day patterns, making this a more flexible sessional offer than its compact weekday timetable may first imply.

Learning and Named Experiences

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes the curriculum. In practical terms, children learn through play and adult-guided experiences across communication, physical development, personal and social development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts. FIG's own emphasis is on preparing children for school while adapting experiences to individual needs and pace.

The Speech Project gives that approach a recognisable centre. Planned communication activities take place daily, individually or in small groups, so children with speech concerns can practise in a contained format while remaining part of the wider playgroup. This sits alongside the ordinary language of play. Staff narrated children's activity with clear, repeated words, making communication and language a key feature.

Nature is another strong thread. The grounds include a forest area developed with help from parents and the local community. Inspectors saw children use this space for storytelling, physical exploration and nature-based play. Elsewhere, they handled minibeasts, discussed how worms move and cooperated to fill and place bird feeders. These are small, concrete experiences that join language, curiosity and physical activity.

Space and Daily Learning

There is no named room structure to navigate. Learning areas were bright and spacious, with ample outdoor space. Staff planned from children's interests and used practical themes: one Easter activity combined dough, straw and feathers with books about bird habitats. The drawback was uneven pitch. Some group teaching was too advanced for younger children, who then lost interest, and staff needed to adapt activities more consistently.

Strong key-person relationships are a clear asset. Staff knew children and their families closely, responded to emotional needs and built secure bonds. Children were kind and cooperative, followed safety routines and helped one another. Communication kept parents informed about children's days and development.

Inclusion is embedded in the playgroup's stated purpose. Children with additional needs learn alongside other local children, while a staff SEND role coordinates with families and outside professionals. This collaboration produced targeted support. Independence is taught through ordinary routines too, including toileting, handwashing and managing coats and shoes, which gives school readiness a practical meaning.

Safeguarding arrangements were effective. Children also learned everyday health and safety habits through healthy snacks, lunchbox guidance, indoor walking rules and partnering up on the way to the forest area.

Sessions and Attendance

FIG Playgroup is at Taunton Hall, 90 Taunton Road, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 7SU. It opens on weekdays during term time. Published morning sessions run from 8.30am to 11.30am and afternoon sessions from noon to 3pm. Six-hour days are offered as either 8.30am to 2.30pm or 9am to 3pm, with an extra half-hour available at either end of those day patterns.

The setting's waiting-list form asks families for their child's requirements and says the team will make contact when a place and start date can be offered. This is useful for families needing a particular mix of mornings, afternoons and full days because requirements are captured before the completion forms are issued.

Funding and Paid Extras

Eligible two-, three- and four-year-olds can use up to 30 funded hours through the Early Education Entitlement, and Tax-Free Childcare is accepted. The fees and charges page separates three-hour sessions, six-hour days and additional half-hours. Current prices come from the playgroup's quotation rather than this review. Snacks carry a separate half-term charge, with different categories for children attending up to 15 hours and those attending more.

• Group teaching. Some adult-led activities were pitched too high for younger children. Families should ask how current planning now adapts one group activity for children at different developmental stages.
• Term-time calendar. The playgroup follows school-style closures rather than year-round nursery opening. This will fit families who need term-time care, but it requires a separate plan for holidays.
• Food arrangements. FIG publishes a separate snack charge and gives healthy-lunchbox guidance. Families should establish what they need to pack for each chosen session pattern.
• Playgroup and playscheme. The early-years playgroup is for ages two to four, while FIG also operates a separate holiday playscheme for older disabled children and young people. Families should use the playgroup waiting-list route for an early-years place.

FIG Playgroup stands out for making inclusive communication work concrete. Daily Speech Project activities, a forest area and close coordination around SEND give the provision a clear identity, while strong relationships and effective safeguarding add reassurance. The improvement point is equally clear: adult-led teaching needs to reach younger and more advanced children consistently.

This setting best suits families seeking term-time care through morning sessions, afternoon sessions or six-hour days, especially where speech, communication or additional-needs support matters. Those needing holiday or long evening care will need another arrangement.