The Funhouse Pre-School

Learning to recognise worry, manage disagreements and care for others gives The Funhouse Pre-School a clear character. At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Outstanding, highlighting teaching adapted to individual children and close relationships with their key persons.

Based at Janet Duke Primary School in Basildon, the pre-school has capacity for 26 children. Children attending in September 2025 were aged two to four; this is a preschool setting rather than an account of baby care.

In September 2025, learning combined play with purposeful conversation. The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care; here, everyday activities brought language, early mathematics and scientific ideas into play. Sand play prompted conversations about shapes and speed. Learning did not depend on a formal lesson.

A nature table, autumn topics and outdoor exploration gave children material to investigate and words to describe it. These experiences helped broaden the experiences children brought to their learning. Remembrance events, community displays and days themed around red, white and blue connected activities with history and belonging.

Practical routines mattered too. Children washed their hands independently, discussed healthier food choices and learnt to look after equipment. Sand timers helped signal changes between activities, giving children a concrete cue for what happened next.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that collaboration with families and external professionals supported strong progress for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

In September 2025, staff adjusted support strategies as children's needs changed. Help for families also extended to barriers involving food, transport and essential appointments, linking support at home with children's readiness to participate.

Emotional understanding had practical tools. A monster story and accompanying resources helped children put words to anger and worry, while staff responded to gestures and sounds, including bringing snack forward when a child showed hunger. For children separating from parents, reassurance included hand-holding, cuddles and quiet conversation. Advice to parents extended that support beyond the session.

The address is Janet Duke Primary School, Markhams Chase, Basildon, SS15 5LS. In September 2025, opening hours were 8.45am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, during school terms. These are dated opening hours, rather than a choice of booking patterns.

Government-funded childcare was provided in September 2025. Attendance at a setting on a school site does not guarantee a Reception place.

• Term-time planning. The September 2025 opening pattern followed school terms and ended at 3.30pm. Families needing care beyond that timetable should weigh how it fits their working day.
• Attendance arrangements. Which booking pattern and funded-hours arrangement would fit your child at The Funhouse Pre-School?
• School-site expectations. Being based at Janet Duke Primary School does not confer a guaranteed Reception place. Treat choosing the pre-school and applying for school as separate decisions.

The Funhouse Pre-School suits families who value emotional understanding alongside play-based learning. Its September 2025 assessment gives substantial weight to that combination: individual support, practical independence and learning threaded through ordinary activities. The term-time timetable recorded then is the key practical consideration for families whose childcare needs follow the school calendar.