Phoenix Pre-School
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Leigh on Sea for children from birth to 5, open 09:00 to 15:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2023. Open since 2014, with 23 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
SS9 1SYWhat 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, 3 July 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children arrive at the pre-school with big smiles. They quickly seek out their friends and give them a hug. Staff plan suitably challenging activities for the children, which connect to their interests. As a result, children soon settle into their play. For example, children 'sweep and mop' the floors in the home corner and sell goods in the pre-school 'shop'. Throughout the day children are constantly engaged in their play.
Children enjoy a range of interesting and enjoyable learning experiences. For example, they match numbers as they play bingo and search the garden for minibeasts. Children play well together. They develop imaginary play scenarios, such as taking the car to the car wash and going to the shops. Children choose from a variety of dressing-up outfits as they take on imaginary roles.
Outside, children develop their physical skills. They navigate the climbing wall with skill and race around confidently on wheeled toys. Children are developing an understanding of healthy lifestyles. For example, in the pre-school 'shop' they identify the foods are a healthy choice. Children enjoy healthy snacks such as apples and bananas. They show increasing independence, as they pour water and milk from jugs for themselves and their friends.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- extend opportunities for children to use thinking skills that broaden their knowledge n support children to effectively manage conflicts by themselves.
- 3 July 2023Good
- 6 December 2017Good
- 26 January 2017Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Phoenix 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.