Shenfield Village Pre-School

A pack-away playroom, quiet spaces for books and a garden children could choose to use gave Shenfield Village Pre-School its character in September 2024. The emphasis was on children taking an active part in their day.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good at its 17 September 2024 inspection and found safeguarding effective. The setting has capacity for 26 children; those attending at the September 2024 visit were aged two to four.

In September 2024, children used a large shared playroom and moved between indoor activities and the garden. Resources were within their reach, giving them opportunities to choose and organise their play. Cosy reading spaces offered a quieter alternative.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: here, the September 2024 day included conversation, songs, practical play and outdoor activity. Planning drew on children's interests, seasonal themes, observations and information from parents, connecting activities with what children needed to learn next.

Dough play combined hand movements with language, as staff introduced words for different actions. Singing and nursery rhymes gave children listening experiences, while outdoor play prompted them to notice sounds around them. These were concrete ways of bringing language into play.

In September 2024, each child's key person provided a familiar adult relationship, while the wider staff team also knew the children. Comforters from home helped children settle; children put them away when ready. Reassurance was part of the settling process.

Children used photographs and colours to express their feelings, giving staff a way to notice and respond when someone felt sad. Everyday routines also included washing hands before food, fruit at snack time and outdoor exercise. These connected emotional expression and self-care with ordinary parts of the day.

The address is 60 Hutton Road, Shenfield, Brentwood, CM15 8LB.

In September 2024, opening hours were 9am to 3pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am to midday on Monday, and 9am to 1pm on Thursday, during term time. The varying finish times mattered for families arranging care across the week.

At that date, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Care for shared resources. In September 2024, children were sometimes left to finish activities without encouragement to put books and other materials away. Building responsibility for shared belongings was an improvement priority.
• Imaginative play. In September 2024, role-play materials did not consistently meet children's interests, including interest in caring for babies. More suitable resources were needed to extend their ideas.
• Attendance planning. The September 2024 timetable had different finish times across the week. At a visit, what attendance pattern would fit your family's week now?

For families choosing preschool care, the September 2024 picture combined child-chosen play, outdoor access and familiar adult relationships. It suits parents who value practical learning and opportunities for children to express their feelings. The balance includes clear improvement priorities around looking after resources and extending imaginative play; those matter alongside the Good judgement.