Sherwood Playgroup CIO

A community-centre hall, an enclosed garden and nearby woodland give Sherwood Playgroup CIO a clear character: play moves between indoor resources and outdoor exploration, rather than staying within one room. Sparkle Space adds a quieter corner for sensory play, relaxation and small-group music. This is a setting for children from two, with provision for two-, three- and four-year-olds and 26 places in total.

At its December 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the playgroup Good. The current offer centres on learning through play, with regularly changing activities and substantial outdoor time. Attendance is term-time only, Tuesday to Friday, with three-hour sessions, additional booked hours and a pre-bookable breakfast club.

Parents and carers can also have a role beyond their child's attendance. The charitable organisation's funds are managed by trustees and general members, including families, giving the playgroup a practical connection to its community.

Rooms and Ages

The main hall contains areas for imaginative play, books, drawing and early writing, alongside painting and making materials. Children can pursue different interests within the shared space; books and opportunities to make marks also extend outdoors. Child-sized toilets are directly off the main room, a useful physical arrangement for children developing independence.

There is a maximum of 26 children per session. That is a whole-session limit, rather than a separate room size or a statement about how many children attend on any particular day. The setting accepts children from two, so its environment and activities serve the preschool years rather than baby care.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS framework shapes learning through play across its areas of learning, with activities that develop communication, physical skills and children's ability to express themselves. Practitioners use Birth to Five Non Statutory guidance to plan coverage, while adapting resources to children's interests, seasonal changes and celebrations. There is room for spontaneity: timings can shift when an activity captures children's attention.

Stories, songs, snacks and small-group activities generally feature in the earlier part of a session. Outdoor activity takes greater emphasis later, with indoor space and toilets still accessible. This gives the day a recognisable rhythm while allowing children to continue an absorbing game or investigation.

In December 2022, children sustained their attention on activities they had chosen. Practical examples included shaping clay with cutters and rolling pins indoors, and using scooters, tricycles and tunnels outside. These activities brought hand skills and larger movements into the same day's play.

Outdoor and Community Life

Around 50% of the week is spent outdoors, using the garden, supervised groups in the community-centre grounds and forest school sessions in different weather conditions. The adjacent Wildlife Meadow and Woodland supplies changing things to explore, including spring bluebells and summer insects. Outdoor learning therefore has a place beyond the enclosed play area.

Forest School involves regular, child-led play in nature, allowing children to explore their interests and work with natural materials. Into the Wild Wood is the partner behind these sessions. Its place in the programme gives outdoor exploration a defined approach alongside the playgroup's everyday garden use.

Sparkle Space serves a different purpose. Cushions, sensory resources, fairy lights and musical instruments make it a place for quieter time as well as small-group singing and music throughout the year. Outdoor provision includes relaxation as well as active play.

In December 2022, staff helped children recognise feelings and allowed them time to settle their emotions. Children were comfortable seeking help, and everyday independence included managing coats, washing hands and opening lunch boxes. These were small, useful steps towards doing more for themselves.

At the December 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described adaptations supporting children with SEND and children learning English as an additional language. Staff's knowledge of families informed their work, including opportunities for families to stay and play, which helped build confidence in attending.

Two improvement points deserve attention. In December 2022, staff did not consistently introduce unfamiliar vocabulary when talking with children, and supervision did not give practitioners sufficiently specific guidance on improving their interactions. The issue was the precision of adult support: extending a child's words and making staff development useful in daily practice.

Controlled access is part of the current premises arrangement, with the playgroup entrance kept closed. The wider professional connection includes Nottingham Trent University, through mentoring and placement support for Early Years Initial Teacher Training Students. That is a training partnership, rather than a promise about staffing on a child's session.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Sherwood Community Centre, Woodthorpe House, Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG5 3FN. Enquiries can be made by telephone, email or the contact form.

Opening hours are 9.30am to 4pm, Tuesday to Friday during term time. An earlier start at 9am or 9.15am can be pre-booked, subject to availability; the playgroup follows the Nottingham City Council holiday plan. Families therefore need an attendance arrangement that fits those operating days and school-term closures.

Three-hour sessions can be booked, with additional hours booked separately. A pre-bookable breakfast club starts at 8.30am, and lunch club runs Tuesday to Friday. Session and lunch-club charges still apply when a child misses attendance through illness or holidays, which matters when comparing the ongoing cost of a booking.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded provision includes The Early Learning Programme (ELP) for 2-Year-Olds, offering eligible children up to 15 hours each week over 38 weeks. Nursery Education Funding for 3-4 year olds starts from the term after a child's third birthday, and eligible working parents can access up to 30 funded hours. Attendance follows the playgroup's term-time pattern.

Private session fees include milk and fruit or snacks; additional booked hours include snacks and consumables. Breakfast club carries a separate charge for the additional care and breakfast, which includes toast, cereal and juice.

Childcare vouchers and Tax Free Childcare Scheme payments are accepted. Families can obtain current prices in a written quotation, using the fees and funding information to identify the booking and funding categories they need.

• A four-day, term-time week. Attendance runs Tuesday to Friday and follows Nottingham City Council holidays. Consider how that pattern fits work and other care commitments before choosing sessions.
• Language and staff development. December 2022 improvement points concerned extending children's vocabulary and giving staff clearer guidance on their interactions. At a visit, ask how those two areas are now addressed during play.
• Outdoor time in changing weather. Around half the week is spent outdoors, including garden use and forest school. Discuss how your child would take part in that routine and what clothing they would need.

Sherwood Playgroup CIO suits families seeking three-hour sessions or a longer booking assembled with additional hours, with breakfast club providing another attendance option. Its strongest practical appeal is the combination of a shared hall, substantial outdoor time and Forest School, supported by a quieter sensory space.

The term-time, Tuesday-to-Friday pattern needs to fit family life. The December 2022 Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, while the improvement points give parents precise questions about language development and staff support. For children who enjoy moving between making, stories and outdoor exploration, the programme has a clear shape.