Kingswood Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A pre-school in Basildon 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 September 2023. Open since 2004, with 40 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
SS16 5ADWhat 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, 19 September 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children can access the outdoor space throughout the session, enabling them to choose where they wish to play and learn. They excitedly show visitors what they know and remember. Children eagerly approached the inspector to animatedly explain how they look after their teeth. They confidently demonstrated how to use the toothpaste and a toothbrush. Staff skilfully build on children's interests. They look through a book about dentists with children, name dentistry equipment, and children enthusiastically talk about their own experiences. This contributes to extending their vocabulary and communication skills. Children also have lots of fun when they take part in focused music and communication groups. These are planned to support all children, including those who speak English as an additional language, to become more confident communicators.
Children practise their early mark making and draw their own 'plans' in the construction area. They search for suitable bricks to bring their creations to life.
This helps children express their creativity as well as beginning to recognise that marks have meaning. Outdoors, they develop their balance and coordination when they use equipment, such as the stilts. Children proudly say, 'I'm walking!' They know how to keep the environment safe and clear. Children independently fetch a broom to sweep up the sand. They quickly put toys and resources back where they belong when it is time to tidy up.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the role of the key person further so that it is consistently effective in promoting children's emotional development n involve staff fully in the decision-making process for how additional funding is used so they can be better equipped to assess the impact it has on children's learning.
- 19 September 2023Good
- 30 November 2017Good
- 4 April 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Kingswood 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.