St Mary's Playgroup

A parent committee, a Portacabin classroom and a school-ground setting give St Mary's Playgroup its character. This Churchdown playgroup has capacity for 24 children, with parents able to take part in both its management and its sessions. It is a Catholic nursery that welcomes families of every faith.

At its March 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found safeguarding effective. The daily detail matters just as much: children practised using tools, talked about favourite stories and developed independence through ordinary tasks such as putting on coats and pouring drinks.

Younger children aged 2 years 6 months have Monday and Wednesday sessions, while preschool children can attend across Monday to Thursday. The combination suits families seeking preschool care alongside opportunities to get involved in how the playgroup runs.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: here, learning through play builds on children's interests and existing skills. That connects the educational programme to things children already enjoy, rather than treating learning as a separate part of the day.

In March 2024, practical activities included peeling vegetables, handling screwdrivers and cutting out creations. These gave children reasons to persist with a task while exercising the hand control needed for writing. Books had a place too, with children choosing them independently and remembering familiar stories.

Pass the Bear, a group-speaking activity used to build confidence in talking together, featured in March 2024. Staff also used conversation, songs and stories to encourage communication. The activity gives a concrete example of how children can practise speaking in front of others, alongside the less formal exchanges that happen during play.

Outdoor and Community Life

The classroom occupies a Portacabin within the grounds of St Mary's Roman Catholic Primary school. Its school-site position is a practical part of the setting's identity, though attending the playgroup does not guarantee a Reception place. Families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

In March 2024, children took a daily walk around a track before using the play area. Ropes, balancing beams and a slide supplied different physical challenges, from climbing to controlling movement. Outdoor time therefore included both a shared routine and opportunities to practise coordination.

Fundraising supports experiences beyond the everyday session, including a summer trip to Cotswold Farm Park, Christmas Party and Graduation Day celebrations. These are concrete uses of the money parents help raise. PATA (Playgroup and Toddler Association) also provides practical support and training for staff, parents and the committee.

A key worker gives each child a particular adult to build a relationship with. That adult works with parents through shared records and adapts learning to the child's needs. For a child getting used to the group, having a familiar person creates a clear point of contact between home and playgroup.

In March 2024, communication with families included an online application, newsletters, parents' evenings and everyday conversations. These offered different ways to follow a child's experiences, combining written updates with opportunities to talk directly to staff.

Independence was also part of the March 2024 day. Children spread their own toast, managed shoes and coats, and practised personal care such as handwashing. These small tasks make preparation for school tangible: children rehearse things they will need to do for themselves.

At the March 2024 inspection, Ofsted found children with special educational needs and/or disabilities were well supported through work with professionals, but asked for more individually tailored responses to possible developmental gaps and better questioning that allowed children time to think and answer. Those are meaningful qualifications to the Good judgement, especially for families whose child needs additional help with communication or development.

Parents supply packed lunches for the longer sessions, while fruit, toast, cheese and breadsticks are among the snacks covered by a separate snack charge. This means lunch preparation remains part of the family's routine.

Sessions and Attendance

Sessions run from 9am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; Friday has no sessions. Monday and Wednesday include younger children alongside preschool children, while Tuesday and Thursday are preschool sessions. Half-day attendance also forms part of the charging structure.

The current younger-child offer starts at 2 years 6 months on Monday and Wednesday, with preschool attendance from age 3. In March 2024, the playgroup operated during school terms. That dated calendar position is separate from the weekday session arrangements.

Getting There

The contact address is Elliot Building, c/o St Mary's Primary School, Cheltenham Road East, Churchdown, Gloucester, GL3 1HU. Enquiries can be made by email to info@playgroupstmarys.org.uk or by telephone on 07706496284.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare includes Achieving Two Year Olds funding for eligible two-year-olds and 15 hours of free nursery education each week from the term after a child's third birthday. Eligible families can also use part of the extended entitlement, up to 24 of the 30 hours. Additional attendance hours are charged privately.

Lunches come from home and snacks are charged separately. A voluntary contribution supports celebration activities, entertainment, visiting guests and end-of-year parties; the playgroup explains that participation affects its ability to continue these activities. Current prices come in the playgroup's written quotation, with the sessions and fees page explaining the charge structure.

The parent committee is elected at the autumn AGM and takes responsibility for staffing, policies, finances and fundraising. Joining it is an opportunity to influence practical decisions, rather than simply attend social events. Fundraising also pays for essentials, equipment and staff training, so parental involvement has a direct operational purpose.

• Language and individual support. The March 2024 improvement points concerned questioning and responses to developmental gaps. At a visit, ask how staff now allow thinking time and adjust support when an approach is not working for a child.
• Age and attendance pattern. Younger-child sessions are on Monday and Wednesday, while Tuesday and Thursday serve preschool children. Discuss how the full-day and half-day arrangements fit your child's age and your weekly routine, including holiday cover.
• Food and supplies. Families prepare packed lunches and pay separately for snacks. Ask which non-food supplies you should send with your child.
• Parent participation. Committee work and fundraising help sustain both essentials and celebrations. Consider whether you would enjoy that involvement and what time you could contribute.

St Mary's suits families looking for full-day or half-day preschool attendance and a meaningful role in the playgroup community. The key-worker arrangement, practical learning and school-ground setting give it a clear identity; packed lunches and age-specific attendance days shape the family routine.

The March 2024 Good judgement is a useful foundation, with specific development priorities to weigh alongside it. For parents comfortable with committee participation and fundraising, this is a setting where involvement can extend beyond their own child's session.