Explorers Elm Park

Explorers Elm Park earned Ofsted's highest judgement at its first inspection. In March 2023, inspectors rated overall effectiveness, education, behaviour, personal development and leadership Outstanding. The report describes a 42-place setting at 33 The Broadway, Elm Park, Hornchurch, where purposeful play, communication and independence ran through the day.

The most distinctive thread was communication. Every child was taught sign language from the baby room through to pre-school, while adults used conversation, stories and practical tasks to build rich spoken language. This gave babies a way to ask for water and helped older children explain ideas of their own.

The Early Years Foundation Stage combines learning, development and care through play and everyday routines. Examples included children designing a block bridge after studying pictures, writing and acting out a story, and discussing size and shape while threading fruit. Daily cooking and science experiments added prediction and investigation. Learning was active and specific.

Experiences extended beyond the rooms. Babies walked to the park to see ducks, while children visited the library, greengrocer and flower shop. Weekly visits from a sports coach supported physical skills, alongside rhyme time for babies and music-and-movement sessions. Inspectors saw sustained attention and confident changes of activity, pointing to routines children understood well.

Inspectors saw settled arrivals and positive connections with adults and peers. Adults modelled empathy, taught calming techniques and helped children resolve problems. Older children helped younger ones with coats, while lunch involved passing food, serving themselves and washing plates. These routines built consideration as well as independence.

Ofsted found safeguarding arrangements effective in March 2023. Staff understood reporting procedures, used risk assessments and regularly reviewed practice. The environment was judged safe and secure. Professional development included safer-sleep and healthy-eating training.

The provider record covers children from three months to five years and lists 42 registered places. In March 2023, setting information listed all-year opening each weekday and funded early education for eligible two-, three- and four-year-olds. Current operational terms need confirmation because these details describe that dated snapshot.

The report names a baby room and a pre-school room, but current room age bands, group sizes and booking patterns are not established. Those practical details belong in the family's direct comparison of the setting.

• Current attendance patterns. Ask for the available sessions, exact times and minimum weekly commitment in writing; an opening window does not establish the booking model.
• Room organisation. Confirm the room age span, typical daily group and staffing for the child's planned days, rather than treating the setting-wide capacity as a room size.
• Current funding terms. Request a written breakdown of funded hours, paid hours, meals and consumables for the intended schedule.

The 2023 findings present a compelling picture of ambitious, playful early education. Sign language across the age range, daily cooking and science, community visits and weekly sports coaching are memorable because each has a clear developmental purpose. The Outstanding judgement and effective safeguarding provide a strong quality anchor.

This setting may suit families who value communication, independence and frequent practical experiences. Current rooms, staffing, attendance patterns and funding terms remain the main practical decision points.