Marldon Pre-School Playgroup

Handprints, dough and conversations shaped Marldon Pre-School Playgroup’s January 2024 day: practical play with an emphasis on children becoming confident enough to speak and choose for themselves. Based at Marldon Village Hall in Paignton, it has capacity for 28 children.

At its January 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged two to four. The main reservations concerned stretching older children’s learning and giving children consistent guidance about behaviour.

In January 2024, children chose their own play and joined adult-led craft activities. Stamping drawings, making prints with painted hands and cutting dough gave them different ways to practise hand movements. These were purposeful experiences, with physical skills supporting later learning.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care. Here, the January 2024 day included stories, singing and conversation, giving children opportunities to develop language and express ideas. Teaching drew on their interests and what they could already do.

Physical play also featured in January 2024. Children used bicycles and ride-on cars, while movement games involved changing speed in response to instructions. That combined active play with listening. Older children, however, sometimes needed activities that demanded more sustained attention and curiosity.

Relationships were a clear part of daily life in January 2024: children formed close bonds with staff, who knew their families and individual interests. Conversations with parents covered development and experiences at home, and staff offered practical help with toilet training. That connected care at the playgroup with changes happening within the family.

At the January 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff monitored development, worked with other professionals to support children with SEND or learning delays, and used specialist advice to target help. This described a practical route from identifying a difficulty to adjusting support.

Behaviour guidance was less consistent in January 2024. Staff established expectations, but did not always apply them consistently through the day; the team was undertaking training on children’s emotional and social development.

The address is Marldon Village Hall, Village Road, Marldon, Paignton, TQ3 1SJ.

In January 2024, opening hours ran from 8.45am to 3.15pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 8.45am to 1.15pm on Thursday and Friday. Those were opening windows rather than named booking sessions. At that time, the playgroup received early education funding for children aged two, three and four.

• Older children’s challenge. In January 2024, some older children needed more demanding learning experiences. This matters for families seeking activities that hold a preschool child’s attention.
• Consistent behaviour guidance. January 2024 practice included uneven application of expectations. Predictable responses matter when children are learning to handle feelings and disagreements.
• Attendance planning. The January 2024 opening week had longer days early in the week and shorter days later. Which current attendance arrangements would fit your family’s routine?

Marldon’s January 2024 inspection picture would suit families drawn to practical play, conversation and close relationships with staff. Its January 2024 picture was positive, with crafts, physical activity and family communication giving the day substance. Families of older preschool children should weigh that against the need for greater challenge and more consistent emotional guidance identified at the same visit.