Barking Pre-School
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Ipswich 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 July 2023. Open since 2016, with 24 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
IP6 8HPWhat 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, 11 July 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children receive good quality teaching. They are very confident and are eager to explore the activities. Children are welcomed by friendly, nurturing staff. An effective key-person system means children establish close bonds with familiar adults. Therefore, they settle quickly and engage in activities. Staff are attentive, calm and speak respectfully to children. Children receive lots of encouragement and praise for their efforts. All children receive the support they need to enjoy a meaningful day. The special educational needs coordinator is knowledgeable and experienced. Professional relationships have been established with parents and outside agencies, to ensure that they are informed and fully involved in the education and support provided for children.
Children's speech and language is fully supported. Staff encourage children to predict what is happening during interactive group story time. Children speak with confidence as they enjoy a favourite and familiar story. They show sustained concentration during activities. For example, they use hammers and tacks carefully, and with skill, as they make patterns using wooden shapes. Staff engage children in meaningful conversations about their creations and discuss sizes and colours.
Children are positively encouraged to develop independence skills during snack time. They understand the importance of using resources safely as they cut their fruit. Children complete simple sums. For example, they excitedly tell staff they have cut three pieces of banana but have five pieces in total, including apples.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- enhance the opportunities that support children in understanding and expressing their emotions n provide further challenge for children during activities to enable them to express and elaborate their thoughts and extend their learning to a higher level.
- 11 July 2023Good
- 1 May 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Barking Pre-School
- 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.