The Oaks Centre

The Oaks Centre is a small Romford setting with capacity for 24 children at Collier Row Road, RM5 2DD. Its June 2026 Ofsted report card found the expected standard in all six evaluation areas, from achievement and curriculum and teaching to inclusion and leadership. Safeguarding standards were met.

The sharper detail sits beneath those judgements. In June 2026, children of all ages made effective progress across all seven areas of learning. They were calm, eager to explore and socially inclusive, with secure attachments to staff and key persons. The report also set two clear priorities: embed the curriculum across every age and strengthen targeted professional development so care and education are consistently high quality.

In June 2026, older children explored life cycles and nature, while younger children learned to serve their own meals. Class-helper tasks built confidence and school readiness. In the home corner, a pretend picnic became a social exercise as children shared food items and invited others into play.

The Early Years Foundation Stage connects these experiences across seven areas of learning. In practical terms, play, conversation, movement and everyday routines build communication, physical development, early thinking and relationships together. The outdoor area extended the classroom, with equipment and room for varied physical activity and free movement.

Delivery was not equally precise throughout the inspection day. Following a recent merging of rooms, staff were still being supported to teach confidently across different ages and abilities. Some planned activities did not communicate their intended learning clearly enough.

Warm relationships were a real strength in June 2026. Staff celebrated each child as an individual and worked with parents to understand them. Independence ran through ordinary care: children served meals, dressed, completed care tasks and refilled water bottles rather than waiting for an adult to do everything.

Inclusion was practical. Staff identified additional needs promptly, worked with parents and specialist professionals, and adapted communication with visuals, sign language, flash cards and Now and Next boards. Comfort items and timers helped children understand routines and transitions. Safeguarding standards were met, with concerns identified, acted on and managed.

Boundaries needed more consistency. Staff did not always address indoor running quickly, which could leave expectations unclear.

The setting is at Collier Row Road, Romford, RM5 2DD and has 24 places in total. Families seeking current nursery-specific prices need a written quotation from the provider.

• Mixed-age curriculum. Ask how teaching is now planned after the room merger, and how one activity is adjusted for younger and older children.
• Consistent boundaries. During a visit, look at how promptly practitioners respond to indoor running and how clearly expectations are explained.
• Attendance and daily costs. Request the exact session pattern, meal and consumables arrangements, and written quotation that would apply to your child.

The Oaks Centre is best suited to families who value a small setting where independence, inclusive communication and warm key-person relationships shape daily life. The June 2026 report card is balanced rather than glowing: children made effective progress and safeguarding standards were met, but curriculum consistency and staff development still require sustained attention. Families should weigh the concrete strengths against those current improvement priorities and test progress during a visit.