St Stephens Playgroup

A take-home dinosaur gives St Stephens Playgroup a memorable thread: in December 2023, children were eager to take Dudley home and talk about his adventures. Conversation grew from something they had shared with their families.

Ofsted rated the playgroup Good on 12 December 2023 and judged its safeguarding arrangements effective. Based at Parish Church Of St Stephen in Chatham, it has 30 places in total; children attending in December 2023 were aged two to four.

In December 2023, the church hall accommodated play that linked practical exploration with language and thinking. Children compared shapes made with dough cutters, constructed animal homes using coloured blocks and concentrated on filling containers with sand. Staff used questions to extend their thinking.

The early years foundation stage sets expectations for children's learning, development and care: here, the December 2023 examples show how play brought together communication, mathematical ideas and perseverance. Activities were planned around what individual children needed to learn next.

Dudley, the take-home dinosaur, prompted children to recount adventures. Family photographs gave them another starting point for talking about their lives and learning about others. Dancing games required children to listen for pauses in the music, while singing familiar rhymes to friends gave them a chance to perform.

In December 2023, children practised everyday independence by selecting snacks, pouring drinks and opening lunch boxes. Handwashing formed part of their lunchtime routine, and staff discussed food choices while encouraging children to eat together. These small tasks gave children useful responsibilities.

At the December 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that children made good progress, including children who had started with no spoken language and subsequently communicated confidently. Parents received updates, opportunities to discuss learning and ideas for supporting children at home.

School transition work in December 2023 included exchanging information with local schools and other agencies. This supported continuity between settings rather than an admissions advantage.

The address is Parish Church Of St Stephen, Maidstone Road, Chatham ME4 6JE.

In December 2023, opening hours were 9.10am to 1.10pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with Wednesday opening from 9.10am to 3.10pm. Attendance was during term time. That timetable concentrated care into the earlier part of the day, with a longer Wednesday.

At that date, the playgroup provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Staff development. In December 2023, discussions about practitioners' individual training needs happened too infrequently. The improvement action was to strengthen staff supervision so development could be better targeted.
• Outdoor plans. In December 2023, leaders intended to develop the outdoor area further. During a visit, ask what outdoor provision children now use and how those plans have progressed.
• Attendance fit. The December 2023 timetable was term-time and mostly finished at lunchtime. What current attendance and funding arrangements would fit your family's week?

St Stephens Playgroup suits families seeking a sessional playgroup whose December 2023 practice emphasised conversation, practical independence and learning through play. Dudley and the everyday activities give that account character. The Good judgement is a useful reference point, alongside the specific action on staff development and the importance of matching attendance to family routines.