Trinity Pre School

Friendship had a practical place at Trinity Pre School in March 2020: a buddy system and friendship stop helped children understand feelings and form relationships. At its March 2020 inspection, Ofsted rated the pre-school Outstanding, praising the teaching and the progress children made.

Based on Angel Way in Romford, RM1 1JH, Trinity has capacity for 35 children. The children attending in March 2020 were aged two to four. Its strongest inspection-era features were purposeful play, support for emotional development and close cooperation with families.

In March 2020, children could choose their play alongside activities organised by staff. The early years foundation stage took concrete shape through counting, conversation and investigation: a dice-and-threading game combined turn-taking with counting flowers, while work with plants prompted discussion about growth.

Learning also involved testing ideas. Children added water to dry soil blocks, watched them expand and explored the meaning of absorb. Staff encouraged them to revisit earlier learning, giving new experiences a connection to things they already understood. Musical exploration included making instruments, learning about them through technology and sessions delivered by external providers.

The outdoor area in March 2020 included a sandpit and balance beams, with opportunities for throwing, catching and chalk play. Visits to the local market to buy snack fruit connected learning with the surrounding community. Coin values and pretend food purchases brought counting into practical situations.

In March 2020, children built relationships with their key persons, while an emotions group helped them understand their feelings. Staff responded sensitively to anxiety and shared approaches to behaviour with parents, helping children encounter consistent boundaries at home and pre-school.

At the March 2020 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and praised support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including careful progress monitoring and prompt referrals to external services. Staff also accompanied parents to appointments such as speech and language meetings, connecting family support with specialist advice.

Trinity Pre School is on Angel Way, Romford, RM1 1JH. In March 2020, it operated at Trinity Methodist Church and opened from 8.30am to 3pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; Wednesday opening hours were 8.30am to 12.30pm.

In March 2020, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. Additional funding helped children attend regularly, making attendance itself part of the support described at that time.

• Present-day attendance. The March 2020 opening pattern included a shorter Wednesday. What attendance pattern and funded arrangements would fit your child now?
• Emotional support. The buddy system, friendship stop and emotions group were concrete features in March 2020. Their emphasis on relationships makes emotional development a useful priority when weighing this setting for your child.
• Hands-on learning. March 2020 activities included investigating soil, balancing outdoors and buying fruit at the local market. This practical character will matter to families who value learning through handling materials and everyday experiences.

Trinity's March 2020 picture suits families who value practical learning and attention to children's feelings. The combination of number games, outdoor activity and cooperation with parents gives substance to that dated Outstanding judgement. Families considering Trinity now should weigh that inspection-era character alongside the attendance question above.