Happy Stars T.M Preschool
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Benfleet 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 Good by Ofsted in July 2025. Open since 2000, with 30 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
SS7 4BSWhat 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 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children flourish in this nurturing, inclusive and stimulating pre-school. Leaders have implemented a purposeful and ambitious curriculum underpinned by four clear pillars. These guide a broad and balanced educational experience. Staff demonstrate a deep understanding of child development. Teaching ensures that every child is equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for lifelong success. Children form strong, secure attachments with adults, including the setting's leaders. Children demonstrate positive friendships. They express who their best friends are and choose to sit together at lunch.
From the moment they arrive, children are encouraged to be independent, resilient and curious. Self-registration routines and voting for snack choices promote autonomy and embed British values. Children confidently move around the wellorganised, free-flow environment. They make choices that reflect their interests and developmental needs.
Children behave well. They follow routines confidently. Staff use playful and respectful strategies to manage transitions, such as lining up like soldiers when it is time to go inside. This makes routines enjoyable and familiar. Staff support children's confidence in knowing what is expected of them. Children are encouraged to learn the pre-school rules, count with confidence and name the days of the week. These foundational skills are well integrated into daily practice and help prepare children for the next stage of their education.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the opportunities for temporary staff to access professional development in order to continually improve the already good quality of teaching.
- 11 July 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 14 February 2020Good
- 11 March 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Happy Stars T.M 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.