Roman Road Pre School

In June 2025, bug hunting in the garden, a pretend coffee shop and stories children reinvented gave Roman Road Pre School its character. Based at United Reformed Church in Ingatestone, it has capacity for 28 children. Ofsted rated it Good at its 5 June 2025 inspection.

The children attending in June 2025 were aged two to four. This is a preschool account centred on exploration, relationships and preparation for school, with two practical development points: making teaching more precise and giving children more chances to act independently.

In June 2025, learning combined imaginative play with hands-on investigation. Children used builders' clothing in the construction area and acted out taking orders in a coffee shop. These activities gave practitioners opportunities to extend conversation through familiar experiences.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for learning, development and care: here, the June 2025 examples included learning through play, stories and outdoor exploration. Children examined garden creatures with magnifiers and climbed a small tree, bringing language and physical challenge into the same outdoor space.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears became material for children's own alternative stories. Library outings connected books with borrowing for home and offered opportunities to practise road safety. Children also learned about Diwali and Chinese New Year, introducing celebrations beyond their own experiences. These were June 2025 activities, rather than a current events timetable.

At the June 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and reported substantial developmental progress, including for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, supported by collaboration between practitioners, families and professionals.

In June 2025, settling arrangements adapted to individual children, while close relationships with key practitioners gave children someone to turn to when upset. Parents received regular updates about development and achievements, helping them continue learning at home. Preparation also supported the move to school.

Children served themselves fresh fruit at snack time and practised handwashing before eating. Yet independence remained a development priority: adults needed to create more opportunities for children to manage tasks themselves.

The address is United Reformed Church, High Street, Ingatestone, CM4 9EY.

In June 2025, opening hours were 9.15am to 2.45pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with Tuesday finishing at 1.15pm. Operation was term-time only. That shorter Tuesday is a meaningful detail for families organising work around attendance.

Government-funded early education was provided for eligible children in June 2025. Eligibility remains part of that statement; it is not a promise of a funded place for every family.

• Teaching that builds on each child. In June 2025, practitioners did not consistently extend learning from children's existing knowledge and interests. Ask how the next learning steps now shape activities for your child.
• Everyday independence. The June 2025 improvement priority went beyond serving fruit: children needed more opportunities to do things themselves. Look for how adults balance help with letting children try.
• Attendance fit. June 2025 operation was term-time only, with an earlier Tuesday finish. At a visit, establish the current attendance arrangements and how these fit your week.

Roman Road Pre School suits families drawn to preschool learning through imaginative play, books and garden exploration. Its June 2025 strengths included close adult relationships and individually adapted settling. The balance is clear: engaging experiences need equally careful next-step teaching, while practical independence deserves more room in the day.