Early years · Early years inspection (EIF)
Abacus Stoke Gifford
Summary
What we read, and from where
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- Group verified
Learning Through Play Ltd
- Group reference verified
RP907777
- Inspection date verified
13 May 2025
- Inspectors verified
Shahnaz Scully
- Behaviour and attitudes verified
Good
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Personal development verified
Good
- Quality of education verified
Good
- Postcode verified
BS34 8PF
- Name on report verified
Abacus Stoke Gifford
- URN verified
2718894
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Each judgement on its scale, weakest to strongest.
- OverallGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Quality of educationGood
79% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (17,905 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
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- Staff build strong, trusting relationships, creating a calm, purposeful environment where children feel secure, respected and confident to explore and learn. p.2
- Staff deliver a well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum that supports children to make strong progress across all areas of learning. p.2
- Children thrive in this warm, nurturing and inclusive setting, which feels very much like a home from home. p.2
- Staff have high expectations and model positive attitudes to learning, which children mirror in their enthusiasm and engagement. p.2
- Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. p.2
Concerns
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No strong criticism found.
Next steps
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What the report dwells on
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Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 6
- Words of findings
- 629
- shorter than usual (typical 803)
- Reading level
- Hard
- Flesch 45, typical 54
- Average sentence
- 15 words
- Next steps
- 2
- typical 2
- Hedged sentences
- 2%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Inspection of Abacus Stoke Gifford Stoke Gifford Baptist Church, 1 Rock Lane, Stoke Gifford, BRISTOL BS34 8PF
p.1
Overall effectiveness Good
The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Not applicable
p.1
The provision is good
Children thrive in this warm, nurturing and inclusive setting, which feels very much like a home from home. The setting's distinct character is rooted in its child-centred ethos, where every child is valued as an individual and their needs come first. Staff build strong, trusting relationships, creating a calm, purposeful environment where children feel secure, respected and confident to explore and learn.
p.2
The provision is good
From the moment children arrive, they are welcomed warmly and supported to settle quickly. Staff are attentive and responsive, promoting children's emotional and physical well-being through consistent routines and positive interactions. This nurturing approach supports all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring they feel safe and valued.
p.2
The provision is good
The curriculum is ambitious and tailored to every child's needs and interests, especially supporting disadvantaged children and those with SEND. It builds on what children already know and encourages curiosity, independence and resilience. Staff have high expectations and model positive attitudes to learning, which children mirror in their enthusiasm and engagement. As a result, children are motivated and make meaningful progress across all areas of learning, well prepared for the next stage of their education.
p.2
need to do better?
n Staff deliver a well-sequenced and ambitious curriculum that supports children to make strong progress across all areas of learning. They plan activities that reflect children's interests and developmental stages. Staff make effective use of resources, indoors and outdoors, to build on what children know and can do. They adapt teaching to meet a wide range of needs, including children with SEND, and provide sensitive support to promote inclusion and participation. n The curriculum gives children the foundations they need for future learning. Children develop a love of books, confidently recall key events from stories, and join in with repeated phrases. Staff use songs and rhymes to build language and memory. Children count, sort and match with confidence during daily routines and play, which deepens their early mathematical understanding. n Staff know the children well and plan activities to support their learning.
p.2
need to do better?
However, there is scope to strengthen how consistently they build on children's next steps to help every child make the best possible progress. During some group activities, staff do not give children sufficient time to think and respond, encouraging them to explore their ideas more freely. n Children arrive happy and settle quickly. They show high levels of emotional security and form strong bonds with familiar adults. Staff use consistent routines and offer plenty of praise and encouragement. As a result, children behave well
p.2
need to do better?
13 May 2025 and show kindness towards others. They manage small conflicts independently, take turns and show respect for shared spaces. n Children show growing independence in their self-care. They manage personal hygiene, put on coats and serve themselves food. Staff encourage these routines, helping children develop responsibility and confidence. Older children display strong school readiness. They recognise their names, listen well in group times and follow instructions with increasing maturity. n Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment. The open communication and positive relationships among staff contribute to high morale and effective teamwork, which underpin the smooth running of the setting. n Partnerships with parents and external agencies are strong. Staff and leaders work together to ensure timely referrals and individualised support. Parents feel
p.2
need to do better?
well informed about their children's progress and appreciate the care and attention staff provide.
p.3
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
p.3
Safeguarding
There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.
p.3
should:
n embed and monitor children's next steps within day-to-day planning, ensuring that all children reach their full learning potential n review how staff deliver group-led activities, giving children time to think, respond to questions and explore their ideas without the use of leading questions.
p.3
Setting details
Unique reference number 2718894 Local authority South Gloucestershire Inspection number 10380535 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises Registers Early Years Register Day care type Sessional day care
p.4
inspection
Total number of places 28 Number of children on roll 51 Name of registered person Learning Through Play Ltd
p.4
reference number
Telephone number 07701364282 Date of previous inspection Not applicable
p.4
Information about this early years setting
Abacus Stoke Gifford re-registered in December 2022. The pre-school is located in Stoke Gifford, Bristol and operates during term time. There are three different sessions available, from 8.30am to 12.30pm, 12.30pm to 4pm and full day from 8.30am to 4pm. There are four staff who are qualified at level 3, one at level 6 and one who is currently unqualified. The provider receives government funding for children aged two, three and four years.
p.4
Inspection activities
n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n The children spoke to the inspector during the inspection. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the pre-school.
p.5
Inspection activities
We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.
p.5
Inspection activities
13 May 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.
p.5
Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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Inspection activities
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