Incey Winceys Childcare

A separate preschool premises, shared garden access and learning through play give Incey Winceys Childcare its character. This is the preschool setting at Unit 1, Station Estate, Eastwood Close in South Woodford, rather than the neighbouring nursery’s baby and toddler provision. It has 24 places in total. Keeping that distinction clear matters when choosing which part of Incey Winceys would suit your child.

At its October 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good, found safeguarding effective and praised the support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The strongest examples centred on conversation, reassurance and cooperation between staff, families and outside agencies. There were also clear teaching improvements to make.

Rooms and Ages

The preschool welcomes children from three years of age, with shared garden access and regular community outings. Its separate premises sits behind the nursery, and children moving from the nursery join in small groups in the term or half term following their third birthday. That gives the move a defined stage rather than treating the two premises as interchangeable.

The garden is shared with the nursery. For families, the useful distinction is between having a separate preschool base and using some outdoor space together: the preschool has its own premises, while garden time connects it with the wider setting.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage is the statutory framework for learning, development and care here. In everyday terms, children learn through play, conversation and practical experiences, with support for their development alongside their care. Preschool activities remain play-based, with games requiring more sustained attention and an emphasis on doing things independently before school.

In October 2023, children chose stories to enjoy with adults and talked together about a fox they had seen in the garden. A pumpkin became an opportunity to explore texture and extend vocabulary. These are useful examples of learning built around something children can handle, remember or discuss, rather than relying solely on an adult directing a group.

Ofsted’s October 2023 inspection also identified three priorities: stronger teaching, especially in mathematics; better organisation of larger group activities so children stayed involved; and support tailored more closely to individual staff’s development needs. These concerns qualify the Good judgement. A friendly day and interesting resources still need skilful adult interaction to turn them into consistent learning.

Outdoor and Community Life

Regular outings form part of preschool life. A February 2023 trip to Eagle pond included a bus journey, watching birds, exploring nearby woodland and returning on foot. Children compared bird sizes and counted them, bringing movement and mathematical ideas into the same experience. This was a particular outing, rather than a promise of a fixed trip timetable.

In October 2023, children also visited the sister nursery’s garden, using a guiding rope when leaving their own premises. Outdoor activity therefore extended beyond the preschool’s immediate base, with practical routines for moving together.

Reassurance was a clear part of daily life in October 2023. Newly joined children received help to understand routines and form friendships, while children sought adults when they wanted comfort. Gentle prompts encouraged children to put toys away and consider one another. Those small interactions mattered to how children managed the day together.

Support for SEND in October 2023 involved a coordinator working with parents and external professionals, with early help and support directed towards individual needs. This is a more useful picture for families than a broad inclusion promise: the mechanism involved adults sharing information and organising help around the child.

Daily conversations with parents were another feature in October 2023. Staff passed on information about learning and development, giving families a connection with what had happened that day. Children also practised self-care, including handwashing before food and learning to move safely on stairs. Independence developed through ordinary routines as well as planned activities.

The setting’s address is Unit 1, Station Estate, Eastwood Close, London, E18 1BY. Its preschool premises is separate from the nursery at the front, so the preschool identity is important when arranging a visit or discussing attendance.

In October 2023, opening hours were 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays, across 51 weeks of the year. These describe the operating window at that time, rather than a particular session that families could book. During the same month, the setting received early education funding for children aged two, three and four.

• Teaching and group activities. The October 2023 priorities covered mathematics, engagement in larger groups and individual staff coaching. During a visit, ask for examples of how these areas have been developed in preschool practice.
• The separate preschool base. Children move from the nursery in small groups after their third birthday, and the premises share garden use. A visit should help you understand how that move and shared outdoor time work for your child.
• Attendance and the total charge. What preschool booking patterns and funded-hours arrangements can you choose, and how are meals and non-food consumables treated in the written quotation? This is the practical question to settle alongside the preschool’s daily offer.

Incey Winceys Childcare suits families seeking a separate preschool base with play-led preparation for school, shared garden access and community outings. The October 2023 picture combines reassuring relationships and practical support with teaching weaknesses that deserve attention. Its appeal lies in those concrete everyday experiences; the decision should also weigh how mathematics and group learning have developed.