St Matthew's Playgroup

Ofsted rating “Outstanding in all areas” July 2021

The preschool playgroup takes children between the ages of two and a half and five and operates in the large church hall with access to extensive garden space.

We offer free places to all three and four year olds and some funded places for two year olds. Our sessions are available on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 9-12pm, 9-12.45pm or 9-3pm and we are open for 38 weeks a year as we follow the school term times.

St Matthew’s has a committed, well qualified and enthusiastic staff team and we always operate a more generous staff/child ratio than the statutory requirement. In addition we encourage parents and carers to stay and help for occasional sessions on a rota basis. We value enormously our partnership with parents and operate an ‘open door’ policy at the beginning and end of the day so that there is always the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest or concern.

When children first join the group parents and carers are welcome to stay and help to settle their child into the routine for as long as they feel is necessary.

During the sessions we offer a wide range of exciting resources and activities and provide well planned playful experiences in a caring and stimulating environment, both indoors and outdoors.

We are an inclusive community where all children and their families are welcome and valued and where children feel safe to explore their world, pursue their interests, be adventurous and creative and develop their social and language skills as they learn and play alongside a highly qualified and experienced staff team all of whom have the children’s well-being at the heart of everything they do.

We believe that the best way for parents and carers to discover whether St Matthew’s is appropriate for them is to come and visit us during a session.

If you think we might be the place for your child please telephone during playgroup hours and ask to speak to Linda so that we can discuss availability and arrange a visit.

Contact details: playgroup@stmatthews-bristol.org.uk or via the Church Office during Playgroup hours.