St Mary's Playgroup
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Woodbridge for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in April 2024. Open since 1996, with 27 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 Suffolk
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Suffolk 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
IP12 4JJWhat 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, 22 April 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children happily arrive and settle into the playgroup. Staff understand that children are at different developmental stages when they start. With this in mind, they offer a range of support to help children transition into the playgroup. This helps children to feel secure and confident about leaving their parents. Staff are proactive with their support of children's emotional security and well-being. They are consistently kind and caring. Staff are calm in their approach if children get frustrated or upset.
They intervene quickly to prevent disagreements escalating. By modelling this positive behaviour, staff create a reassuring environment. This supports children to regulate their emotions, feel safe, respected, and understood. Children are also learning different strategies to resolve conflict themselves.
Children's behaviour is good. Staff interact with the children throughout the day, reiterating the rules and asking children if the remember what they are. Through these frequent repetitions, children learn how to behave well. Staff help children to share and take turns. In doing so, they create a safe and supportive environment, where children learn how to communicate effectively and negotiate.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to help children to gain a deeper understanding of the importance good hygiene practice and how this contributes to their good health.
- 22 April 2024Good
- 19 June 2018Good
- 12 October 2017Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for St Mary's 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.