Ethos & Curricula Goals

At Comberton Playgroup, we aim to provide a stimulating, safe, and secure environment that encourages collaborative learning and supports children to become inquisitive learners. We hold high expectations for all children and strive to ensure each child reaches their full potential while learning good manners and respect for others.

Our 7 Curricular Goals:

  1. To be kind; listen and take turns in a conversation.

  2. To be independent and confident in their abilities.

  3. To write some or all of their name.

  4. To recognise numbers 1–5 and count objects beyond 10.

  5. To make up and narrate their own story.

  6. To self-regulate emotions and talk to others to resolve conflicts.

  7. To create a 3D model.

Ofsted &

CIO Status

We were delighted to receive an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’ in February 2025, following previous ‘Good’ ratings in March 2019 and May 2016. Our transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) ensures volunteer trustees are protected while keeping our charity focus centred on quality early education.

Equality Pledge: We support the Cambridgeshire Equality Pledge: "We believe in the dignity of all people and their right to respect and equality of opportunity... Our aspiration is to be safe, welcoming and inclusive."

Ofsted Report

  • Our Playgroup promotes a healthy lifestyle and a high standard of hygiene in it’s day to day working with children and adults.

  • Parents are the first educators of their children. The aim of the playgroup is to support this essential work, not to replace the parents.

  • We aim to work towards a situation in which children can develop self-discipline and self-esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.

  • We believe that the group’s activities should be open to all children and families, and to all adults committed to their welfare. We aim to ensure that all who wish to work in, or volunteer to help with our playgroup have an equal right to do so.

  • We intend to create in our playgroup an environment in which children are safe from abuse and in which any suspicion of abuse will receive a prompt and appropriate response.

  • We recognise that the quality and variety of work, which goes on in playgroup makes it an ideal place for students. Placements from school, college, and from childcare courses, as well as students from the Diploma in Pre-school practice or Tutor Fieldworker courses are encouraged.

  • It is our intention to make our playgroup genuinely accessible to children and families from all sections of the local communities.

  • The playgroup’s work with children and families will sometimes bring us into contact with confidential information.

    To ensure that all those using and working in the playgroup can do so with confidence, we will respect confidentiality at all times. Our latest Privacy Policy can be found here: Privacy statement child&parent

  • We want children to feel safe and happy in the absence of their parents, recognising other adults as a source of authority, help and friendship. They should be able to share with their parents afterwards the new learning experiences enjoyed in Playgroup.

  • We believe children and parents are entitled to expect courtesy and prompt, careful attention to their needs and wishes. Our intention is to work in partnership with parents and the community.

    We welcome suggestions to improve the playgroup at any time.

  • The Playgroup aims to have regard to the Department for Education and Employment’s Code of Practice, “The Identification and Assessment of Special Needs”, and to provide a welcome, and appropriate learning opportunities, for all children.

  • A high adult to child ratio is essential in providing good quality playgroup care

  • The toys and equipment in playgroup provide opportunities for children to develop new skills and concepts in the course of their play and exploration, with adult help where appropriate.

  • The safety of young children is of paramount importance. We will endeavour to ensure the safety of both children and adults at all times.

  • Parents are asked to provide packed lunches for their child in containers that can be easily stored. All containers must be clearly marked with the child’s name.

    Children will be provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Dietary needs and allergies will be taken into consideration.

    We encourage parents/carers to provide a healthy lunch for their child. Children are encouraged to eat the healthy items in their lunch boxes before any treats.

    Fizzy drinks are actively discouraged.

  • The Playgroup has adopted a policy for providing a smoke free environment.

Setting Policies Index

All our policies are designed to offer the best possible experience for the children and their families. Our policies are reviewed on a regular basis and comments and suggestions from parents are always welcome.

The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) that were introduced in May 2018 govern how we control and process personal information. These regulations apply regardless of whether data is stored electronically, on paper or other materials. Please see our updated Privacy Statement.

The following are a summary of the individual policies.

Child Protection Statement

It may be helpful for parents to know that the Local Education Authority requires staff to report any obvious or suspected cases of child abuse, which includes non-accidental injury, severe physical neglect, emotional abuse and/or sexual abuse.

This procedure is intended to protect children at risk and schools and playgroups are encouraged to take the attitude that where there are grounds for suspicion it is better to be safe than sorry.

This does mean that staff risk upsetting some parents by reporting a case, which on investigation proves unfounded.

In such circumstances, it is hoped that parents, appreciate how difficult it is for staff to carry out this delicate responsibility, will accept that the staff are acting in what are believed to be the best interests of the child.

Our Child Protection Statement

Equalities Statement, September 2018

The Setting is registered for 48 children per session and including Fun for 1’s & 2’s and Fun for Little Bundles has 74 children registered attending various sessions throughout the week.

We have 11 members of staff working various sessions throughout the week.

The settings intake is predominately White British, with 1% of children for whom English is an additional language.

Currently there are no children with Special Educational Needs.

We currently have more boys than girls.