Val Robinson Childcare, Cottage Preschool
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Rainham for children from birth to 8+, open 08:45 to 14:45, 7 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in June 2025. Open since 2017, with 68 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 Havering
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Havering 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
RM13 9YGWhat 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, 5 June 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
This is a setting where every child, regardless of their starting points, is given the time, space and trust to find their voice and become part of a caring community of learners. Staff are kind, dedicated and committed to children's well-being.
Relationships are strong, and children feel safe and valued. Leaders and staff create a setting of trust and belonging that children enjoy being part of.
All children are warmly welcomed into a setting that cherishes their individuality and gently encourages them to express who they are in words, gestures and relationships. Staff prepare activities and resources for children to engage in learning opportunities as soon as they arrive. Staff welcome parents to bring their children in and have a quick chat with staff before they leave their children. This supports children's emotional well-being effectively as they settle in. They observe the positive relationships their parents have with the staff, which has a positive impact on children's behaviours and attitudes towards learning.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- continue to develop staff's ability to evaluate activities and practice to think ahead and extend children's learning consistently n strengthen staff's practice to further support children's communication and language, especially when pronouncing words and holding conversations.
- 5 June 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 10 July 2019Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Val Robinson Childcare, Cottage 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.