Little Friends Pre-School

A quiet sensory room called Calm Cove and a learning journal that parents can contribute to give Little Friends Pre-School a recognisable character: space for children to pause, alongside a practical way for families to stay involved. This Basildon pre-school offers care and education for children aged two to five, with capacity for 26 children in total.

At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good and found effective safeguarding arrangements, positive relationships and good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The improvement priorities were more consistent adult conversations that develop language, and calmer changes between activities. Those are useful points for parents to weigh alongside the positive judgement.

Attendance follows a term-time pattern, with separate morning and afternoon sessions. Its appeal rests on preschool play, family involvement and a gradual introduction to spending time away from home.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS framework brings together learning about relationships, language, movement, early reading, numbers and the wider world. For children, that means opportunities to talk, explore materials, make things and practise managing feelings. The curriculum also includes music, movement, role play and creative work.

In September 2025, children chose resources for their own play and explored pasta, wet sand and play dough. One activity involved decorating dough sculptures with lolly sticks. These examples give substance to child-led learning: children could choose, experiment and develop an idea, with adults joining their play.

Language teaching was less consistent. In September 2025, adults sometimes introduced descriptive vocabulary during sensory play, but missed other opportunities to explain what children were doing. For a parent choosing early education, the distinction matters: having interesting materials is only part of the experience; the conversation around them also helps children learn.

Outdoor and Community Life

In September 2025, the garden had trees and bushes for insect searches, a performance stage and a mud kitchen. These supported different kinds of activity, from investigating living things to imaginative play. Children also visited a local park and travelled by train to the beach, connecting their learning with places beyond the pre-school.

Calm Cove is a quiet sensory room. Its purpose is straightforward: it gives children a space with a different pace from active group play. In September 2025, outdoor provision also included a climbing frame introduced to support physical development, alongside a quiet area intended to meet sensory needs. These were concrete adaptations to children's needs at that time.

Relationships and Communication

Every child receives a key person when they join. That gives families a particular member of staff through whom to build a relationship, rather than leaving communication entirely to whoever happens to be available.

Settling begins with parents staying for the first two sessions, each lasting an hour. Children who continue to find separation distressing may need their parent to remain for longer; the settling approach also allows a later restart where a child is not ready. Families need to allow time for this introduction. It is a meaningful part of joining, rather than a brief handover.

Tapestry, the online learning journal, shares children's progress and achievements through a secure login. Parents can add activities from home, giving staff material to discuss and build on at pre-school. In September 2025, communication also included individual meetings and ideas for learning at home, so family contact extended beyond practical messages.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that staff identified developmental gaps, planned targeted support with parents and professionals, and used additional funding to meet individual needs. Current staff responsibilities include SENCO and designated safeguarding lead roles; training covers autism, first aid, safeguarding and behaviour management. These are specific support arrangements, rather than a promise that every child's needs will be met in the same way.

Children have milk or water with a healthy snack, and the snack menu is displayed each week. Families record allergies and dietary requirements when registering and keep staff informed of changes.

For children wearing nappies, parents supply nappies and wipes. Easily managed clothing is encouraged so children can practise using the toilet and handling outdoor clothes themselves. Collection arrangements use a password when another person collects a child, providing a clear procedure for that change of adult.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Fair Mead, Basildon, Essex SS14 2LB. Opening follows Monday to Friday during term time, with morning sessions from 8.25am to 11.25am and afternoon sessions from 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Morning drop-off can take place between 8.25am and 9am. These are separate attendance options, so families should plan around the session they book rather than assume continuous care across the middle of the day.

Registration forms can be requested by email, and the completed form is returned with a copy of the child's birth certificate at induction or the first session. Telephone and email enquiries are accepted. Fees are paid in advance, either weekly or termly, and remain payable during absence; prolonged absence is a matter for discussion with the pre-school.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded early education is offered for eligible two-year-olds and for three- and four-year-olds within the term-time provision. Funding for three- and four-year-olds begins in the term after the child's third birthday. Two-year-old funding requires an eligibility application, while the funding information also covers eligible working parents with two-year-olds. Once eligibility is established, families complete a parent declaration and support the application with the child's birth certificate.

Parents supply nappies and wipes for children who need them, while the pre-school provides the snack and drinks described above. Uniform can be purchased if families wish. Current prices should be obtained in a written quotation, and the funding and fees information sets out payment and withdrawal terms.

The premises occupy land within the grounds of The Willows Primary School. Attending the pre-school does not guarantee a Reception place; families still apply through the local authority admissions process.

• Language and changes of activity. The September 2025 improvement priorities concerned adult conversations and the organisation of transitions. During a visit, ask how staff now extend children's language during play and help them move calmly between activities.
• A supported start. Parents stay for two initial one-hour settling sessions, with extra parental presence considered where needed. Allow time in your own schedule for this introduction and discuss how it will work for your child.
• Withdrawal commitment. At least one month's notice is required when leaving; insufficient notice brings responsibility for fees for a month from the notice date. Factor that commitment into any change of childcare arrangements.

Little Friends suits families seeking morning or afternoon preschool sessions during term time, with an active role in settling and communication. Tapestry makes that involvement practical, while Calm Cove adds a quieter space to the setting's provision.

The September 2025 Good judgement provides a positive starting point, with clear improvement priorities rather than an unqualified endorsement. For families comfortable with the session timetable and the parental time needed at the start, this is a grounded option for play, early learning and growing independence.