Thornton Playgroup
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Coalville for children from birth to 5, 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 November 2024. Open since 1970, with 36 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 Leicestershire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Leicestershire 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
LE67 1AGWhat 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, 21 November 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive happy and are eager to attend this playgroup. Leaders ensure that children have an allocated key member of staff who provides consistent support.
Before children start at the playgroup, staff spend time with parents to find out about their children's individual needs and interests. Staff then use this information to plan and support introduction visits. For example, they ensure children have their favourite toys and activities when they arrive. This supports children to settle quickly. Children comment on how they enjoy attending, and staff help them.
Leaders and staff work hard to create a safe, warm and homely environment that supports children's development. The indoor environment is carefully planned to ensure children can access a variety of learning opportunities that meet their individual learning needs. For example, children who enjoy music have a dancing area and those who need quiet time can visit the sensory room. In addition, children have access to a large sports hall and an outside area. These spaces enable children to develop their physical skills and to be active.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen staff skills in consistently supporting and extending children's independent learning n develop staff's skills in supporting children to understand unwanted behaviours by offering clearer explanations.
- 21 November 2024Good
- 11 January 2019Good
- 16 September 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Thornton 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.