The Funhouse Pre-School
Outstanding★ 4.3 on GoogleBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Basildon for children from birth to 8+, open 08:30 to 16:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in September 2025. 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
SS15 5LSWhat 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, 9 September 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff make a significant difference to children's lives in this highly effective preschool. Leaders and staff have created an ambitious curriculum that promotes children's progress across all areas of learning. The clear intent of the curriculum ensures that children are well prepared for the next stage in their education. Staff carefully adapt their teaching to meet the experiences, needs and strengths of each child, including those who are disadvantaged or with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Key persons build highly meaningful relationships with children through exceptional one-to-one support. Children settle quickly and feel extremely confident within the environment.
There is an exceptional focus on developing children's understanding of managing their emotions. Staff use a story and resources about a monster to enable children to identify and talk about their feelings, such as anger or worry. Staff nurture excellent behaviours and respectful relationships. Children quickly learn to show empathy and care for others. Staff are highly skilled in recognising and responding to children's nonverbal cues. They interpret expressive sounds with precision and adapt their practice immediately, such as offering snack early when children show signs of hunger. Consequently, children feel deeply understood and secure. They develop impressive levels of regulating their feelings and an awareness of their emotions. This prepares children exceptionally well for their future learning and life beyond the pre-school.
- 9 September 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 12 December 2019Good
- 13 January 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Funhouse 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.