Humpty Dumpty Pre-school
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Southend-On-Sea for children from birth to 8+, open 08:30 to 13:30, 3 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2023. Open since 1993, with 26 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
SS2 5PAWhat 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, 14 June 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive eager to play at this community pre-school. The friendly, welcoming staff check for any updates from parents and support children to settle quickly.
Children seek out their friends and soon settle into play. For example, they put on a chef's hat and start 'cooking breakfast' in the home corner. Children enjoy the role-play area. They scribe and draw pictures and pretend to call 999 to report a burglar. They are learning more about the community and people who help us.
Children's days are filled with a range of fun learning experiences. For example, they go for a learning walk in the community. They count blue buses and children call out with excitement each time a bus drives by. Children develop fine motor skills. They flock to the dough table, where they enjoy rolling, squishing and shaping the dough. Children cut out heart shapes and present them to staff.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support children to learn the language they need to express their feelings and emotions.
- 14 June 2023Good
- 17 November 2017Good
- 21 May 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Humpty Dumpty 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.