Ashurst Drive Baptist Church Pre-School

Three large halls give this long-established Ilford pre-school unusual room to spread out. Children aged from two years and three months to four, or until they start Reception, can use the halls alongside a secure outdoor play area with an all-weather porous surface. The setting is church-owned, welcomes children of all cultures and faiths, and works from the same Ashurst Drive address as the church.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good in November 2022 across education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, finding children happy and secure with high staff expectations helping them progress from their starting points. Full days and separate morning and afternoon sessions make the term-time pattern more adaptable than a single fixed day.

Children can move between the different playrooms, large hall and outdoors. They eagerly prepared for outdoor play, rode wheeled toys, played running games and developed balance and coordination. Construction with wooden bricks encouraged children to build towers from their own ideas, while pretend play helped them explore themselves and the wider world.

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes the curriculum, meaning staff plan play and activities around each child's next steps across communication, physical, social and wider learning. Planning was thoughtful and activities supported progress. Children made their own choices from the learning provision, joined group stories and selected their snacks, giving them practical chances to build independence.

Language support has a personal dimension. Staff ask families which languages children use at home, learn key words and draw on colleagues who share those languages. Festivals and beliefs beyond children's immediate experience also enter the programme, with parents encouraged to contribute. Inspectors nevertheless asked staff to extend vocabulary and thinking more consistently, because some opportunities to develop children's language and ideas were being missed.

Settling rests on relationships with a key person and the wider team. Children separated smoothly from parents, behaved respectfully and formed warm, affectionate relationships with staff. Regular progress information and a lending library connect learning at the setting with reading at home.

Support for children with special educational needs and disabilities was a clear strength in 2022. Leaders employed additional support staff for individual care, worked with external agencies and helped children make good progress from their starting points. Children also practised self-care, hygiene and using cutlery during sociable mealtimes. The setting offered healthy snacks and drinks, while families choosing a full day were asked to provide a packed lunch.

Safeguarding arrangements were effective at the inspection. Staff understood how to recognise and report concerns, including risks beyond the family, and all staff undertook regular safeguarding and paediatric first-aid training. Regular indoor and outdoor risk assessments supported day-to-day safety.

Sessions and Attendance

The pre-school opens during Redbridge school terms, Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm. Families can book the full 9am to 3pm day, a 9am to noon morning session or a noon to 3pm afternoon session. Children staying all day bring a packed lunch.

Funding and Paid Extras

The setting says some two-year-olds can receive 15 funded hours. All three- and four-year-olds can receive 15 hours, with some eligible for 30 hours. These hours are delivered during term time. Eligibility applies to funded hours. Current quotations for paid hours are available directly from the pre-school; no position is given for non-food consumables.

Getting There

The address is Ashurst Drive Baptist Church Pre School, Ashurst Drive, Ilford, IG2 6QH. Waiting-list registration is available directly through the pre-school during term-time opening hours.

Lunch arrangements. Children staying for the full day bring a packed lunch, while the setting provides healthy snacks and drinks. Families should ask about current allergy procedures and packed-lunch guidance before starting.

Language development. Ofsted's November 2022 improvement point asked staff to model a wider vocabulary and use language that challenges children's thinking more consistently. Families can discuss how this has been developed since the inspection during a visit.

Term-time calendar. Provision follows Redbridge school terms and closes in school holidays. This model may suit families following the school calendar but requires separate holiday arrangements.

Ashurst Drive Baptist Church Pre-School combines generous indoor space, a secure all-weather outdoor area and a thoughtful, inclusive approach to children's home languages and additional needs. The Good 2022 inspection gives reassurance about children's security, progress and relationships, while its language-development action remains an important point to explore. It best suits families seeking term-time care for children from two years and three months, whether they need full days, morning sessions or afternoon sessions rather than year-round provision.