Buddies Pre School
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Romford for children from birth to 8+, open 09:30 to 12:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2023. Open since 2012, with 26 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 Havering
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Havering 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
RM5 2BEWhat 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, 19 July 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff create a familiar routine for all children. They plan opportunities for children to sit together as they read stories and sing a song about the months of the year.
Children know what to expect from their day at the pre-school. They feel safe and secure and show high levels of happiness. Staff have very warm relationships with children, who they know well. They take time to listen to children and celebrate their achievements. Staff praise children for following their instructions and listening well. Children understand the expectations of them. They are motivated listeners, who behave well.
Staff help children to learn a variety of skills. They challenge children by extending what they already know and can do. Staff develop children's physical skills. They show children how to use scissors, to balance on beams and to crush ice using hammers. Children try hard, persevering even when they experience setbacks.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to adapt focused activities to support all children to be deeply engaged in their learning n build on existing good practice to strengthen opportunities for all children to select their own activities and join in.
- 19 July 2023Good
- 15 January 2018Good
- 15 July 2013Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Buddies 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.