Phoenix Pre-School

Phoenix Pre-School is a sessional early-years setting in St Augustine's Church Hall in Romford. Ofsted rated it Good in March 2024, finding children eager and happy to attend and safeguarding arrangements effective. Its inspected provision combined child-chosen play with an ambitious curriculum, including a clear focus on healthy eating and oral hygiene.

The setting has capacity for 24 children. In March 2024, children attending were aged two to four.

In March 2024, children chose activities and played cooperatively. One group sustained imaginative play by creating a princess castle, while staff added props and characters. Threading and colour-sorting activities developed hand-eye coordination, and books were woven into wider learning: children retold Jack and the Beanstalk with props, planted seeds and discussed where food comes from.

This work follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, the framework that brings learning, development and care together through play, routines and adult interaction. Dental role play helped children practise brushing model teeth and talk about healthy food.

Staff knew children's likes, dislikes and next steps, and provided extra help during activities and routines when needed. Picture cards and reference objects supported children developing English. Children self-served snacks, poured drinks and followed hygiene routines with supervision.

Family members were invited to stay-and-play sessions, giving them a direct view of children's activities. Parent partnership was found to be strong. The improvement points matter too: staff were asked to engage every child more consistently in purposeful play, extend conversations more fully and give children time to practise resolving conflicts independently.

The setting is at St Augustine's Church Hall, Birkbeck Road, Romford, RM7 0QP. In March 2024 it operated during term time, with sessions from 9:15am to 2:45pm on Mondays and Thursdays, and morning sessions from 9:15am to 12:15pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds was recorded at that date. Current entitlement delivery and charges require a current provider-specific explanation.

• Current attendance pattern: Confirm whether the inspection-era term-time timetable still applies and which combination of longer and morning sessions can be booked.
• Interaction improvements: Ask how staff now draw quieter or solitary children into purposeful play and extend their conversations.
• Conflict resolution: Discuss how children are supported to attempt age-appropriate solutions before adults step in.

Phoenix Pre-School may suit families seeking sessional, term-time provision with longer Monday and Thursday days alongside shorter morning sessions later in the week. The record points to happy children, imaginative play, practical independence and strong family engagement. Families should balance those strengths against Ofsted's specific requests for more consistent adult interaction and greater independence in resolving conflict.