Explorers Gidea Park

Explorers Gidea Park is a small, term-time setting for children aged two to four at St. Michaels Vicarage, Main Road, Romford RM2 5EL. It has capacity for 32 children. Ofsted rated it Outstanding in December 2024, with Outstanding judgements across education, behaviour, personal development and leadership.

Daily life was described as one where careful communication work and independence shape the day. Its most memorable examples are practical: children use a removable-parts toy to rehearse kind hands, kind words and attentive listening, while visual lanyards and sign language give them several ways to express what they need.

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the educational framework, which means play, routines and adult-led activities build children's communication, physical development and relationships alongside early literacy and mathematics. Staff set ambitious next steps from each child's starting point and changed routines when they were not working. Moving circle time away from arrival gave children time to explore first and improved their engagement later.

Learning was concrete and lively. In the exploding snowmen experiment, children combined bicarbonate of soda, tissue and white wine vinegar in sandwich bags, then watched the bags inflate while staff explained the process. Independence also ran through snack time: children used tongs to select fruit, spread butter with a knife, then washed their plates and cutlery.

Settling was individual rather than fixed. Staff tailored each child's schedule until they felt secure, drawing on conversations with parents and observations of development. Parents reported that the staff team was stable and attentive to individual needs, and that they received regular information about learning and next steps.

Support for children with SEND was a major strength. In December 2024, staff recognised when early intervention and referrals were needed, worked with other agencies and helped parents through the process. Autism training, home-language key words, sign language and visual prompts gave practitioners practical tools for inclusion. Safeguarding arrangements were effective in December 2024.

In December 2024, the setting offered morning sessions from 9am to midday, afternoon sessions from midday to 3pm and full days from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Government-funded childcare was provided. Families should request a current written quotation directly from the setting.

• Term-time pattern. The December 2024 information describes provision during term time and closure in school holidays. Families needing year-round care should compare that calendar with their working pattern.
• Session fit. Morning, afternoon and six-hour full-day patterns were recorded in December 2024. Ask how the current booking combinations work across the week.
• Visit priorities. December 2024 examples include communication support and independence. Families can use a visit to understand how those practices now work for their own child's age and needs.

This setting will suit families seeking term-time morning, afternoon or 9am-to-3pm care for a child aged two to four. The detail underneath the Outstanding judgement is useful: adaptable routines, strong SEND practice, purposeful communication support and unusually clear opportunities for children to do things for themselves.