Comberton Playgroup
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Cambridge for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 17:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2025. Open since 2018, with 48 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Cambridgeshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Cambridgeshire from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
CB23 7DYWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 10 February 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thoroughly enjoy their time at this setting which is at the heart of the community. Staff warmly welcome children as they arrive which helps them to separate well. Children independently hang their coats up and become quickly engaged with the stimulating activities set up by staff. For example, children explore scientific concepts through a sink-or-float activity. Staff encourage children's thinking by prompting discussions about boat construction. Children decide what materials they will need to make the mast and sail on their boats and develop problem-solving skills as they test the boats in tubs of water. The experienced staff team show an excellent understanding of children's learning needs. They provide a sequence and well-planned curriculum ensuring learning is purposeful and progressive.
Children display a strong sense of belonging within the setting. Personal touches, such as named drawers for storing artwork and a family photo wall, foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. Staff build strong bonds with children, ensuring they feel valued and secure, contributing positively to their confidence and well-being. Staff actively promote positive behaviour. During activities, they model and reinforce social skills, such as turn-taking and kindness, helping children to understand the impact of their actions. Staff provide clear expectations, contributing to children behaving well throughout the setting.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- embed consistent approaches to support children who speak English as an additional language to help build on their communication and understanding n review the organisation of transition times to and from the garden to ensure children's needs are consistently met.
- 10 February 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 22 March 2019Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Comberton Playgroup
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.