Little Turtles Pre-School The Cornerstone U.R.C.
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Southend on Sea 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 June 2025. Open since 1999, with 32 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
SS2 5JLWhat 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, 24 June 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff have a clear intent for what they want all children to learn during their time in the setting. They encourage children to use available resources to lead and extend their own play. For example, children use cardboard boxes as boats. Staff talk to children about different types of boats and introduce new language to children such as 'shore'. Children sing and do the actions to familiar boat themed songs.
Children wait patiently for their turn on the 'boat'. They giggle in delight as the staff move the boxes around the room with them inside. Children copy and help their peers to move in the boxes. They are highly engaged in these interactions.
Staff understand how young children learn to communicate. They place an emphasis on language acquired through listening to stories and songs. Children listen to instructions given in songs to copy the actions. Children listen to stories and recite familiar sentences in stories and songs.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- embed good quality teaching so that it is consistent across the whole staff team n review the organisation of the deployment of staff during routine activities to ensure engagement with children remains consistently strong.
- 24 June 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 25 September 2019Good
- 28 September 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Turtles Pre-School The Cornerstone U.R.C.
- 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.