Elmwood Preschool
OutstandingBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in South Woodham Ferrers for children from birth to 5, open 08:30 to 15:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in January 2023. Open since 2014, 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 Essex
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Essex 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
CM3 5NBWhat 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, 25 January 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children's interests are highly valued in this exceptional setting. Staff know the children well and offer various opportunities for children to explore and investigate, creating awe and wonder in children's learning. For example, children show an interest in planets and space. Children and staff sing songs about planets, discuss what astronauts wear and how they move in space. Children are provided with opportunities to speculate and test their own ideas through art and craft activities linked to space.
The exceptional staff have a deep understanding of children's backgrounds. They plan enriching learning opportunities to extend on children's knowledge and provide them with rich learning experiences. For example, children enjoy visits from a farm and an insect company, where they explore millipedes. Children learn how everyone is unique. For instance, when guide dogs visit the setting, children learn about their role in helping their owners. Children also visit a residential home, where they read stories and play games with residents.
Children's behaviour is exemplary as they are extremely engaged during activities.
- 25 January 2023Outstanding
- 15 June 2017Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Elmwood Preschool
- 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.