Chafford Hundred Preschool Playgroup
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Grays for children from birth to 8+, open 09:15 to 16:15, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2025. Open since 2000, with 50 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 Thurrock
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Thurrock 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
RM16 6BZWhat 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, 9 June 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Overall, leaders ensure that the setting's curriculum is broad, interactive and tailored to children's interests. Activities are both structured, for example circle time and number songs, but also child-led, allowing children to express themselves and make choices. The blend of singing, props and physical objects during learning makes the experiences engaging and multisensory, supporting various learning styles. As a result, children are extremely eager to get involved and maintain high levels of focus throughout activities and experiences.
Behaviour across the setting is exemplary. Children are remarkably polite, cooperative and kind. Staff use consistent reinforcement through praise and modelling, so children know what is expected of them. Children cheer on their friends during sports activities, highlighting a positive culture where encouragement is valued and competitive situations are approached in a way that prioritises kindness and community. Therefore, children form meaningful attachments with each other and demonstrate high levels of confidence and selfesteem. Children demonstrate a thorough understanding of acceptable behaviours, resulting in a culture of respect and responsibility.
Children are articulate and self-assured, showing that they are emotionally secure and eager to express themselves. Interactions with staff build strong relationships with the children, providing a secure base. This results in children feeling comfortable while engaging with unfamiliar adults. Staff use opportunities to embed equality and inclusion effectively, such as different family structures.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- develop further the staff's implementation of the curriculum for knowledge and understanding of the world to fully build on what children already know and can do.
- 9 June 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 11 December 2019Good
- 28 November 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Chafford Hundred Preschool 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.