Orsett Playgroup
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Orsett 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 April 2022. Open since 1993, 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 Thurrock
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Thurrock 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
RM16 3HBWhat 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, 26 April 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children enjoy the free-flow system, choosing and extending their play ideas from indoors to the outdoor area. They enjoy the fresh air and take part in lots of active play, confidently riding bicycles and cars and playing games. Children take risks in their play as they climb the frame and jump off it, landing safely on the floor. They take turns using the hula hoop and walk carefully across the balancing beams.
Children learn about capacity and number, filling and emptying containers with water. They explore the mud kitchen and other natural materials.
Children demonstrate a good attitude. They say 'please' and 'thank you' to each other and to staff. Staff are positive role models. They join in children's play and engage in activities and discussions with them. Children eagerly complete small tasks, such as tidying up and putting toys away.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- improve the planning of group activities so that staff can help younger children join in and maintain concentration n find ways to share information with parents about including even more healthy options for children's lunch boxes.
- 26 April 2022Good
- 8 July 2015Outstanding
- 11 January 2011Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Orsett Playgroup
- 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.