A Stroud nursery, where children are typically eager to join playgroup activities and interact with friends, has received a “requires improvement” rating from Ofsted. Cashes Green Playgroup, located at Cashes Green Primary School, was inspected on November 21, 2024. The report, now publicly available, highlighted both positive aspects and areas in need of significant improvement.
While the staff’s warm and welcoming nature helps children settle into a secure environment, the report raised concerns about weaknesses in the delivery of the educational curriculum and staff interactions. These issues contributed to an overall assessment of “requires improvement” across all inspection categories.
The playgroup, which caters to 36 children aged two to four years, operates within the premises of Cashes Green Primary School. It offers care from 8:55 a.m. to 3 p.m. during term time, with a capacity to care for up to 22 children at any given time.
According to the Ofsted report, one of the strengths of the playgroup is the staff’s friendly demeanor. The inspectors noted that staff “cheerfully greet children and their parents,” helping them feel safe and secure as they arrive. Children benefit from outdoor activities that promote physical exercise and self-confidence, such as biking around the garden. The report also highlighted how clear boundaries and routines help children understand expectations, with older children showing increasing independence.
However, the report pointed out significant flaws in the playgroup’s curriculum delivery. Inspectors noted that the curriculum was not sufficiently embedded to address what children needed to learn next. Activities were also seen as not being adequately tailored to children’s individual learning needs. For example, while staff were focused on teaching younger children to use scissors, their limited language skills and difficulty following instructions made this a challenging task.
The quality of staff interactions with the children was another area of concern. The report criticized the staff for not consistently promoting children’s learning in a way that targeted their individual needs. Younger children were often overwhelmed by excessive instructions, while older children lacked appropriate challenges to engage them. This raised concerns that children were not making sufficient progress in their learning.
Leaders at the playgroup acknowledged these issues, describing their curriculum as “new and still developing.” While there are clear intentions for what children should learn, these plans have yet to be effectively implemented. Improving staff development is a priority, with plans in place to enhance the quality of interactions and ensure activities meet the diverse needs of the children.
The playgroup has made progress in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), working closely with parents and external professionals to create individualized plans. The report also noted the effective use of additional funding for these children. However, one significant gap identified was the lack of parental engagement regarding children’s learning. Inspectors noted that parents were not regularly updated on their children’s progress or provided with guidance on how to support their learning at home.
Cashes Green Playgroup now faces the challenge of addressing these areas for improvement to meet Ofsted’s standards and provide a better learning experience for all children.
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