Nelmes Pre-School

A church hall with a playground directly off it gives Nelmes Pre-School a clear physical character: indoor play and outdoor exploration share the same setting. Based at the United Reformed Church Hall in Hornchurch, it has capacity for 30 children. The emphasis is on learning through play, with a key person for each child and a structured approach to additional needs.

At its 8 March 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Nelmes Good overall and judged safeguarding effective. The practical attractions are the connected outdoor space, individual support plans and opportunities for parents to follow their child's development. Morning, afternoon and full-day attendance sit within a term-time offer.

Learning and Activities

The EYFS is the framework for children's learning and care, with play helping them explore, make friends and understand their surroundings. At Nelmes, curiosity led learning and play shape the approach. This makes children's interests a starting point for activities rather than treating learning as a series of tasks detached from what interests them.

In March 2024, a choice book captured children's suggestions and interests, which staff used to plan subsequent activities. Dinosaurs were one example. Children therefore had a practical way to influence what they explored, while staff could build learning around subjects that already held their attention.

Songs also gave the day structure in March 2024. Lion King music signalled circle time, where children discussed rules and their purpose. Other group activities covered oral hygiene, early literacy and the months of the year. These routines brought children together, although adapting group learning to different abilities was an improvement priority.

Home learning book bags connected language activities with family life in March 2024. Growing activities also travelled home, and parents could photograph what happened next so children could talk about their experiences with friends. The value was the connection: an activity begun at preschool became something children could revisit and describe.

Outdoor and Community Life

The outdoor playground leads directly from the church hall and has secure fencing. That connection gives outdoor play a clear place alongside indoor activities. Children use the outside area in different weather, with appropriate clothing expected from families.

In March 2024, physical play included an indoor climbing frame and challenges outside, including a bridge. Garden play also became imaginative teamwork: children built a fort as part of a game involving imaginary crocodiles. Alongside these shared activities, everyday independence included putting on coats and practising pouring water.

Relationships and Communication

Each child has a key person who works with the family and maintains their profile of progress and development. This gives parents a familiar member of staff with responsibility for understanding their child, rather than leaving conversations about development to whoever happens to be available.

Settling support is adjusted to the child, with families supported for as long as their child needs to settle. Learning Journeys can be viewed and borrowed to take home, giving parents access to the account of their child's learning. A written progress check at age 2 provides another point for discussing development together.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Additional support has a defined process. A designated SENDCo works with staff and parents, using the graduated approach system: concerns can lead to targeted help, specialist involvement or an Education, Health and Care Plan. Written Individual Education Plans or Health Care Plans set out support, and targets are reviewed with the key person, SENDCo and parents. Families are involved throughout assessment and review.

The physical arrangements include disabled access through the main church door and handrails in the accessible toilet. Regular professional contacts include an Area SENDCo and Early Years Advisory Teacher, with other specialists approached according to a child's needs. These are useful mechanisms for discussing how support would work for an individual child.

The manager holds a Level 6 qualification in Early Years Child Development. First aid arrangements include a trained member of staff on the premises or accompanying outings, with training covering infants and young children. Collection procedures require adults to be nominated beforehand and to use an agreed password.

Moving to school or another setting involves transition review meetings, sharing assessments and support plans, and inviting receiving staff to observe the child. This is practical continuity of support, giving the next setting information about the child before the move.

Sessions and Attendance

Nelmes operates at United Reformed Church Hall, Nelmes Road, Hornchurch, RM11 3JA, and is open from 9am to 3pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Morning and afternoon sessions are offered, with full-day sessions subject to availability; half-day attendance is also an option. The opening window matters for work and collection arrangements, while the choice of attendance patterns allows families to consider shorter sessions as well as a full day.

Enquiries can begin by telephone or through the nursery's online enquiry route. A formal application requires a registration form and a deposit. If applications exceed places, the waiting list is ordered by when children joined it. This is a booking rule, rather than an indication of how many places are free.

Funding and Paid Extras

Government-funded childcare is offered, including the Universal 15 hours and, for eligible families, the extended 30 hours, within the term-time provision. Additional hours beyond the funded entitlement are paid for privately. Families claiming extended funding or funded two-year-old places must provide a valid eligibility code; funded applications also require a birth certificate or passport. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

Parents provide packed lunches, including for children attending on funded hours, while the nursery supplies snacks such as toast and fruit; its meal policy requires written allergy information and sets out a nut-free policy. For families arranging a full day, lunch preparation is therefore part of the daily routine.

• Starting age. The main childcare offer is for children aged 2 to 4 years plus, while the admissions policy accepts children from 18 months. These starting ages differ; families considering a younger child should confirm the applicable starting age before applying.
• Group learning. In March 2024, younger children did not consistently receive group activities matched to their abilities. On a visit, ask how circle time now caters for children at different stages.
• Term-time attendance. Opening hours are 9am to 3pm during term time. Families whose working arrangements extend beyond that pattern will need childcare that covers the remaining hours and holidays.
• Lunches and care supplies. Parents prepare packed lunches and must give allergy information in writing. Allergy-affected families should confirm current food practice, and request a written breakdown covering snack charges and non-food consumables alongside their childcare quotation.

Nelmes suits families seeking morning or afternoon sessions as well as full-day attendance during term time. The hall-to-playground connection gives it a useful physical advantage, while the key-person system and written support plans provide concrete ways for families to discuss individual needs. The strongest decision points are the fit with its daytime opening hours, the arrangements for younger starters and how group activities are adapted. For parents who value involvement in learning and continuity when moving on, the Learning Journeys and transition meetings deserve attention.