Corpus Christi Pre-School

Corpus Christi Pre-School is a sessional setting in the Parish Hall on Lowshoe Lane, Romford, with capacity for 30 children. Ofsted rated it Good in September 2021. That inspection found warm relationships, purposeful language work and children who were happy to learn together.

The detail behind the grade is appealing. In 2021, morning registration became an investigation of conkers and their spiky shells, while children made a storybook bear den. These were small experiences with clear value: adults used children's curiosity to extend vocabulary, comparison and imaginative play.

In September 2021, practitioners planned across the Early Years Foundation Stage. In everyday terms, this meant linking children's interests to the areas of learning and choosing next steps from observation rather than following a fixed sequence for everyone.

Language ran through the day. Staff read repetitive, brightly coloured books, encouraged children to predict the next animal and extended a story into den building. Play dough supported conversation alongside fine-motor control, while hoops and small bicycles developed larger movement indoors and outside.

Relationships were a strength in September 2021. Children formed close bonds with practitioners and friendships with one another. Parents described friendly staff and regular updates, including an online app that helped them continue learning at home.

Safeguarding arrangements were effective in September 2021. Practitioners understood signs of abuse, wider risks and reporting routes, and all staff then held current paediatric first-aid certificates. The team also worked with outside professionals to support children with SEND and close learning gaps.

The setting is at Parish Hall, Lowshoe Lane, Romford, RM5 2AP. In September 2021 it served children aged two to three, with 15 children on roll; these are dated figures rather than a current admissions range.

The 2021 schedule was term-time only: 8.30am to 3.30pm from Monday to Wednesday, and morning sessions from 8.30am to 11.30am on Thursday and Friday. Funded early education was then provided for two-, three- and four-year-olds. Children attending morning sessions brought their own snacks, with water available.

• Current session pattern. The published timetable comes from September 2021. Families should compare today's term-time days and morning-session options with the hours they need.
• Joining information. In 2021, the setting was asked to gather fuller details about children's previous childcare before they started. Ask how current handovers with families and other providers now work.
• Role play. A September 2021 improvement point called for a more stimulating role-play area that changed more often. A visit can show how that area is organised today.

Corpus Christi Pre-School suits families considering a term-time day from Monday to Wednesday or a shorter Thursday or Friday morning. Its 2021 strengths were grounded in responsive interactions: conkers became a language exercise, books led into construction and physical play supported independence. The age of that evidence makes a current visit important, especially for the timetable, joining process and role-play provision.