Hutton Pre-School
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Brentwood for children from birth to 8+, 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 September 2024. Open since 2011, with 26 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
CM13 2TUWhat 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, 23 September 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are greeted by happy, nurturing and welcoming staff who are genuinely pleased to see them as they arrive. They take great care in getting to know the children and their family before they attend, including the opportunity of home visits, to ensure a seamless transition from home to pre-school. Children play in an inclusive, calm and inviting playroom and garden. The curriculum is designed around children's interests and abilities. It is inspiring and ambitious. Good information gathered before children attend means activities are planned to build on what children already know and what they need to learn next.
The managers and staff team recognise that happy children, who are interested in their environment, learn well. Therefore, there is a strong emphasis on supporting children's emotional development. Children's behaviour is very good. They understand the high expectations of the staff, who are excellent role models. They speak to the children with respect and are gentle and attentive. Staff provide children with lots of praise and encouragement and recognise their achievements.
Children have formed close and trusting bonds with their key person. Children are confident and demonstrate they feel safe and secure. They confidently speak to visitors to the setting and engage them in their play. They ask lots of questions, show curiosity and are keen, eager learners.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- provide a range of challenging role play opportunities to inspire and enable all children to explore and develop their own play and ideas.
- 23 September 2024Good
- 11 December 2018Good
- 2 July 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Hutton 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.