Tollesbury Preschool
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A pre-school in Maldon 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 Outstanding by Ofsted in July 2025. Open since 1996, with 28 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
CM9 8RAWhat 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, 4 July 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff provide a highly nurturing, well-organised and stimulating environment where children thrive. Daily routines are clearly embedded, and transitions, such as tidyup time, are managed exceptionally well. The use of the 'Mission Impossible' theme tune encourages children to take responsibility for their environment while making the experience enjoyable. Children move between activities calmly and independently, with minimal adult instruction, indicating a strong understanding of expectations and routines. Warm, trusting relationships between children and staff are extremely effective. Children seek comfort, cuddles and emotional support from adults, forming strong attachments and a deep sense of safety. Staff respond sensitively and adapt activities to meet individual needs fully. For example, staff allow children to play with toy trains while listening to stories during circle time to support children to self-regulate and manage change. This ensures a highly inclusive and personalised approach to care that supports children's confidence in expressing feelings, which reflects the emotional security and responsiveness of the adults around them.
Children's independence is thoroughly promoted. Children confidently use tongs to self-serve snacks, clear their own plates and refill water bottles for play. Staff support children at their own pace, for instance, allowing them to finish food without rushing. This results in smooth, respectful transitions throughout the day.
Therefore, children manage their own needs exceptionally well and are highly respectful of their environment. Language and mathematical development are wonderfully supported. Staff are remarkably skilled in modelling vocabulary, extending children's ideas through open-ended questions and promoting sustained shared thinking. Conversations are natural and meaningful, linking play to real-life experiences such as baking at home or seasonal birthdays. As a result, children are articulate and demonstrate confidence in speaking with familiar and unfamiliar adults. This reflects their secure attachments and the value placed on their communication and individuality.
- 4 July 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 11 October 2019Good
- 5 July 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Tollesbury Preschool
- 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.