Willowfield Pre-School Limited
Good★ 4.9 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Basildon for children from birth to 8+, open 00:00 to 15:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2025. Open since 2011, with 44 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 4EQWhat 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, 16 July 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff provide a nurturing, well-organised and stimulating environment where children make excellent progress. Staff demonstrate warmth, professionalism and a clear understanding of early childhood development. They successfully support children's personal development, behaviour and independence. Children demonstrate consistently positive behaviour and attitudes. They show confidence in the setting and form secure attachments with familiar staff, running to them for cuddles and comfort.
Children listen carefully to instructions and follow routines well, such as lining up to wash their hands. They understand the importance of hand hygiene and use soap with confidence. Staff provide clear explanations, for instance, about the use of gloves to prevent the spread of germs. Snack time is a calm and social occasion where children are given choices. Children use tongs to serve themselves, developing independence and coordination.
Staff are positive role models. They guide behaviour calmly and respectfully, reminding children about safety and patience. When disagreements arise, staff intervene gently, encouraging children to be kind and to share. Children are enthusiastic and engaged in their play. They work cooperatively, passing balls during football or playing side by side making potions. They show increasing independence and take pride in their achievements, which are celebrated through praise from kind and caring staff.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- continue to develop strategies to best support children's problem-solving skills and resilience.
- 16 July 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 18 September 2019Good
- 15 October 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Willowfield Pre-School Limited
- 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.