The Fledgelings Pre-School

Christian values give The Fledgelings Pre-School its character: kindness, belonging and learning to care for others shape the provision at Tile Kiln Church in Chelmsford. Daily assemblies and practical choices, including choosing songs and resources, bring those values into children's day. For families comfortable with a Christian ethos, that is a meaningful part of the choice.

At its November 2021 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Good overall. It has 30 places in total and accepts children from two years to statutory school age. Morning and all-day sessions give families two attendance patterns, with the detailed timetable set out below.

The practical strengths include a private car park, accessible entrances and a defined system for planning support around individual children. In November 2021, two educational priorities were adapting group activities more carefully and giving children more opportunities to use their home languages.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides learning here: staff observe children, assess their development and use those observations to plan resources and activities around their next steps. This gives parents a clear connection between what their child enjoys doing and what practitioners plan next.

Choice is built into the day. Resource boards let children select what to use, while song boards and bags containing props help them choose songs. Children can also select a book to share at home. These are concrete ways for a young child to practise making decisions and explaining preferences.

In November 2021, stories and rhymes featured in group time, with puppets and pictures accompanying The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Children also investigated melting ice while exploring animals and their habitats, then played in the resulting water. That example brings together conversation, observation and physical exploration in a recognisable nursery activity.

Independence has practical expression. Current provision encourages children to wash their hands before snack and attempt to put on their own coats for garden play; playroom resources are arranged so children can pursue their interests. For parents, these are useful habits that extend beyond a session.

Outdoor and Community Life

In November 2021, outdoor play included a wooden frame for climbing and loose crates and planks that children arranged into a ramp. Balancing across their construction and rolling a tyre between one another gave children opportunities to test movement and cooperate. These are dated examples of the outdoor experience, rather than a current equipment inventory.

Nature walks introduce plants in the surrounding area. The environmental sustainability policy also aims to weave caring for the environment into ordinary activities, including reducing plastic use and food waste. A Climate Champion role supports this work, giving the environmental plans a defined point of responsibility.

Daily assemblies reflect the Christian ethos. Alongside them, children help develop group rules and practise listening to one another. Families choosing Fledgelings are therefore choosing an explicit values framework as well as its sessions and learning activities.

Relationships and Communication

Settling is a shared task: parents participate according to an agreed plan when their child starts. Key persons meet families regularly to discuss development and any concerns, and parents have access to their child's written developmental information. This makes the parent relationship part of ongoing care, with opportunities to contribute information from home.

Behaviour support starts with understanding the child and the circumstances behind a difficulty. The key person and SENCO work with parents to agree adjustments; where difficulties persist, the STAR Analysis approach examines the setting, triggers, actions and results. Its purpose is to identify what prompts the behaviour and guide a support plan.

At its November 2021 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and described staff helping children recognise feelings and offering comfort when they were upset. That judgement belongs to that inspection date.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

The SENCO role coordinates support for special educational needs. An Action Plan sets agreed outcomes, followed by implementation and review, while daily visual timetables and basic signs support communication. Links with an Area SENCO and speech and language therapists provide routes to outside advice.

Accessibility has a physical dimension: the building has two accessible entrances and wheelchair access from the rear car park. For a family managing mobility needs, these details matter alongside adjustments to activities and resources.

Transition work involves families and other settings, with a one page profile used to share information about the child. Small-group conversations also give children space to discuss their feelings about moving into Reception.

Dietary requirements connected with medical needs, religion or culture are addressed with parents. Snacks carry a separate termly charge, including during funded attendance.

Sessions and Attendance

Morning Sessions run from 9am to midday, Monday to Friday. All Day Sessions run from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Thursday. Term dates organise attendance around the academic year, so the timetable suits families seeking preschool sessions within that calendar.

The waiting list operates primarily in application order, with home proximity and siblings already attending also potentially considered. Attendance patterns can be adjusted for individual families where this preserves continuity for children. Applications and visits can be arranged by contacting fledgelings@fledgelingspreschool.co.uk or calling 01245 269691.

Getting There

The address is Tile Kiln Church, Robin Way, Chelmsford, CM2 8AU. The pre-school has its own private car park, with rear wheelchair access.

Funding and Paid Extras

Early Learning for 2 Year Olds funding is for families receiving additional government support who meet the criteria; eligible working parents can use Two Year Working Parents funding, while three- and four-year-olds have universal funding or extended hours for eligible working parents, with delivery capped at 27 funded hours per week because of the opening timetable. Funding follows a term-time pattern; the universal offer covers 15 hours weekly for up to 38 weeks, beginning in the term after the child's third birthday, subject to eligibility and the same 27-hour weekly delivery limit.

Private hours outside funding are charged separately. Snacks incur a termly charge for both funded and privately paid attendance, and some outings attract a cost depending on the venue or trip. Fundraising helps subsidise outings and equipment.

Changes to sessions after headcount day attract charges for the added attendance until the term ends. Children joining after that date are charged unless the conditions for a late funding claim are met. These timing rules matter when planning a start or increasing sessions.

Four weeks' notice is required to end attendance; giving less notice means paying for the full notice period. Fees ordinarily remain payable during illness or holidays, although the committee can exercise discretion. For current prices, ask the nursery for a quotation.

• Christian ethos. Daily assemblies express the pre-school's Christian values. During a visit, discuss how these fit your family's beliefs and expectations.
• Learning priorities. In November 2021, group activities did not consistently meet each child's learning needs, and opportunities to hear and use home languages needed strengthening. Ask how current planning addresses both points, especially if your child uses another language at home.
• Funding and timetable. The weekly funding limit is 27 hours, and all-day sessions finish at 3pm from Monday to Thursday. Compare those boundaries with the attendance your family needs before choosing a pattern.
• Settling together. Parents participate in an agreed settling plan. When arranging a visit, discuss how that plan would accommodate your child's needs and your own availability.

Fledgelings suits families seeking morning preschool sessions or all-day attendance within a term-time calendar, and who welcome a Christian ethos. Choice boards, practical independence and planned support give the offer substance. The Good judgement dates from November 2021; its educational improvement priorities remain useful questions for families assessing today's provision.