Eljoy Nursery Marks Gate

A 32-place setting for children from birth to age five, Eljoy Nursery Marks Gate is based at St. Marks Church Centre on Rose Lane. Its first graded inspection, in June 2024, judged it Good in every area and found safeguarding effective. The strongest theme was secure, attentive care: children settled confidently, while staff responded quickly with reassurance when emotional support was needed.

The educational picture is positive but not flawless. Children showed curiosity, concentration and determination, although group activities did not consistently engage every child. That distinction matters for families weighing warm relationships against the precision of whole-group teaching.

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the educational framework, covering communication, physical and personal development alongside literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts. In June 2024, staff built a broad curriculum around children's next steps and interests. Children explored shapes, patterns and colours with fingers and brushes, while observation and assessment helped staff sequence later learning.

Personal-care skills were part of the learning rather than an afterthought. At snack time, children counted from one to three before stopping as they poured water carefully. The task joined early number language with control and independence, exactly the kind of small routine that prepares children to manage more for themselves.

Daily reading and singing supported communication. Staff also selected vocabulary, objects and pictures to include children with SEND and those learning English as an additional language. Outdoors, children ran, climbed, balanced and pedalled tricycles. This gave active practice in coordination as well as learning to judge risk around large apparatus. Staff reminded children to move carefully and consider others, connecting energetic play with responsibility.

Customs and traditions also formed part of children's learning. Alongside the creative and physical experiences, this widened their understanding of people beyond their immediate routines. Inspectors nevertheless found that planning and delivery during group activities needed greater consistency so every child could gain equally from them.

Relationships are the clear anchor. At the 2024 inspection, children separated confidently from parents, formed secure attachments and received reassuring words or cuddles when needed. Parents praised the caring staff, communication and practical ideas for continuing learning at home. Regular staff supervision and training were intended to strengthen practice, and practitioners reported feeling valued and well supported. For children, that stable professional culture can help care remain consistent across the day.

Support for SEND was judged good: regular assessment helped identify emerging gaps, and staff worked with parents and professionals. A pictorial timetable made daily routines easier to understand. Staff used children’s interests to make activities engaging, and they worked with outside professionals as well as families when extra support was needed. That combination links day-to-day observation with a wider response when a developmental gap emerges. Ofsted found safeguarding effective in June 2024, with an open culture centred on children's interests.

There is one developmental edge. Staff handled disagreements sensitively, but inspectors asked them to teach a wider vocabulary for emotions so children could express feelings and regulate behaviour more independently.

The nursery is at St. Marks Church Centre, Belben Court, 165 Rose Lane, Romford RM6 5NR. It has 32 places in total for children from birth to age five. Families should request a current written quotation directly from the nursery.

• Group activities. The 2024 inspection found that some group activities did not engage every child fully. Families may want to explore how staff now adapt these moments for different interests and stages.
• Emotional vocabulary. Inspectors wanted staff to broaden how they teach children to name and manage feelings. This is a useful point to discuss for a child who needs extra help with self-regulation.
• Attendance arrangements. Establish the current session patterns, closure dates and minimum booking commitment before comparing the setting with work or study hours.
• Everyday costs. Seek a written breakdown covering funded entitlement, meals and non-food consumables so the family budget reflects the complete arrangement.

Eljoy Nursery Marks Gate suits families who value emotionally responsive care, active outdoor play and close attention to communication. The Good inspection judgement rests on persuasive everyday examples, from careful water pouring at snack time to visual support for routines. Families needing either full-day care or shorter sessions should establish the current patterns directly, while the two inspection priorities give a focused agenda for a visit.