Fairways Pre School Playgroup
OutstandingBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Leigh-On-Sea for children from birth to 5, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in May 2023. Open since 1998, with 36 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
SS9 4QWWhat 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, 18 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children flourish in this exceptionally welcoming pre-school. They form warm and affectionate relationships with the manager and staff. Children know the daily routines well and are extremely happy and self-assured. They behave exceptionally well. Staff are excellent role models and have exceedingly high expectations of all children. Children are helped to regulate their behaviour through yoga and mindfulness activities. The 'Colour Monster' book and 'emotion cube' successfully support children in understanding and managing their emotions. Children readily share resources, take turns and play happily and cooperatively with their friends.
They learn good manners, such as waiting until all the children are sitting down at the table before they open their lunch boxes. Children are polite and confidently introduce themselves to visitors.
Children have a fantastic time at the pre-school. It is a hive of activity, with every child engrossed in their learning. Children relish being in the garden, exploring natural materials in the mud kitchen. They learn how to keep themselves safe when using the real tools on the woodwork bench. There are excellent activities to spark children's curiosity and imagination. For example, they create exciting stories as they play with the small-world fairy garden. Children who are fascinated with dinosaurs make landscapes using rocks, stones and leaves. They love being creative and making marks using different media. Staff plan wonderful activities and experiences to provide children with a superb foundation on which to build their future learning.
- 18 May 2023Outstanding
- 13 October 2017Outstanding
- 9 July 2013Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Fairways Pre School 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.