Tiddlywinks Playgroup

In September 2025, sensory exploration for babies and outdoor music for older children gave Tiddlywinks Playgroup a clear early-years character. Based at St Albans Church Hall on Princes Road, it has 54 places in total. At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good overall and found safeguarding effective.

In September 2025, children settled readily after leaving their parents and chose resources to develop their play. The children attending were aged 0 to 4. Two improvement priorities matter for families: more consistent teaching across age groups and a clearer key-person arrangement when children first start.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play supports communication, physical development and growing independence.

In September 2025, babies explored textures and heard staff sing, while older children made music outdoors. Large towers built from soft-play blocks became opportunities to compare quantities and predict what would balance. These are concrete ways to connect play with language and early mathematical ideas.

During that month, children used the outdoor area daily. Group activities included stories, taking turns and sharing memories; quieter children could contribute in ways that suited them. Staff also incorporated children's ideas into activities, giving their interests a part in shaping the day.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that assessments helped staff identify learning gaps, children made good progress, and relationships with parents supported children's learning.

In September 2025, handovers gave parents information about the day, and stay-and-play sessions helped them join in with learning. Staff encouraged children to manage toileting, handwashing and wiping their noses. Parents supplied packed lunches, with staff helping them make healthy choices.

The September 2025 findings also exposed weaknesses in support for babies: some practitioners' knowledge or experience was uneven, and experienced colleagues did not consistently provide oversight. New children sometimes lacked a clearly identified key person from the outset. For parents, this makes the initial attachment arrangement as important as the activities on offer.

The address is St Albans Church Hall, Princes Road, RM1 2RD, in Romford, within Havering.

In September 2025, opening hours were 8am to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. Government-funded childcare was offered at that point. Those hours describe the opening window rather than a particular session booking.

• Starting relationships. In September 2025, some new children did not have a clearly identified key person immediately. On a visit, ask who would take that role from the first day and how early settling would be organised.
• Baby care and teaching. The September 2025 findings called for stronger consistency and better support from experienced colleagues. Ask how practice with babies is now monitored and supported.
• Attendance and funding. The September 2025 offer combined term-time opening with government-funded childcare. What attendance arrangements, funded entitlements and additional charges would apply to your child's proposed place?

Tiddlywinks suits families who value outdoor play and parent involvement, both prominent in its September 2025 term-time provision. The Good judgement gives a positive starting point. For families with babies or children beginning childcare, the teaching consistency and first-day key-person concerns deserve particular attention.