St Joseph's Pre-School

A small, sessional pre-school with 18 places, St Joseph's sits at 117 St Mary's Lane, Upminster, RM14 2QB. Ofsted rated it Good in April 2024, with Good judgements across education, behaviour, personal development and leadership. Children were eager to attend, curious in their play and well supported as they settled in April 2024.

The clearest character comes from thoughtful, incremental teaching. Children moved from construction blocks to more demanding interlocking pieces once ready, while conversations around stories helped them reflect and communicate.

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes learning through play, relationships and experiences across children's development. At the April 2024 inspection, staff used close knowledge of each child and family to decide what should come next, adapting activities during their interactions so children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, could progress.

Learning extended beyond a single activity. Families were invited to share traditions and cultural foods; pizza-making became a discussion about Italy, healthy choices and food. Outdoors, children explored sand and water and used ride-on toys, while younger children sometimes visited the local park.

Relationships were a visible strength in April 2024. Children helped friends with coat zips, encouraged solitary peers to join play and practised sharing and turn-taking. Parents described staff as knowing their children well; they received regular progress updates and suggestions for continuing learning at home.

Safeguarding arrangements were effective. The long-serving staff team had regular meetings, training opportunities and support for wellbeing. Lunches at the time consisted of healthy sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, although routines needed further development so children could practise more independence.

The setting has 18 places. At inspection it cared for children aged two to four and operated Monday to Friday in term time, with a morning session from 8.45am to midday and an afternoon session from midday to 3pm. Families should confirm that these inspection-time ages and session arrangements remain current before applying.

In April 2024, six of eight staff held suitable level 3 early years qualifications. The report also recorded free early education for three- and four-year-olds at that time. Current funded-hours arrangements, charges, meals and consumables should be requested directly from the pre-school.

• Outdoor access. Younger children used the local park while older children sometimes had focused activities instead. Ask how the provider has responded to Ofsted’s call for equally rich outdoor opportunities across ages.
• Independence at lunch. Lunchtime routines needed to do more to build children's independence in April 2024. Ask what children now do for themselves during meals.
• Current practical offer. The session times, age range and funded early education information come from the inspection rather than a current provider website. Ask for today's attendance patterns, eligibility and charge structure together.

St Joseph's Pre-School suits families seeking a small, term-time setting where teaching responds closely to children's next steps and social confidence is built through everyday routines. The inspection-time choice of morning and afternoon sessions could work for families wanting part-day care, subject to the current timetable. Its Good April 2024 judgement is supported by concrete strengths in communication, inclusive planning and relationships, balanced by clear improvement work around outdoor equality and lunchtime independence.