Chingford Mount Baptist Church Pre-School

In April 2025, letters traced in flour, objects described to friends and garden play illustrated Chingford Mount Baptist Church Pre-School's practical, play-based activities. At its 28 April 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the provision Good. The useful detail lies in what children did: conversation, movement and small-group activities featured alongside opportunities to choose their own play.

The pre-school has 30 places in total at 1a Leadale Avenue, Chingford E4 8AT. In April 2025, children attending were aged two to four; its opening hours followed a weekday, term-time pattern.

In April 2025, learning moved between indoor activities and a garden equipped for exploration. Children climbed, ran and jumped outside, while drawing letters in flour exercised hand control indoors. Older and younger children were separated at points during the day so activities could respond to their different stages of development.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the April 2025 examples show what that meant in practice: stories, conversation, physical play and opportunities to experiment with materials.

What's in the Box gave children an object to describe to the group, combining turn-taking with speaking. Circle time encouraged children to contribute, and questions about stories invited them to explain what they had heard. Additional funding paid for resources and specialist sports and dance coaching, extending the experiences children could try.

At the April 2025 inspection, Ofsted found effective safeguarding arrangements and good support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), including discussions with parents that helped children reach appropriate additional support.

In April 2025, children settling in watched small-group activities and smiled. Caring relationships with staff supported children's emotional and social development. Parents received updates about learning and what their child would work on next, giving them something concrete to discuss with practitioners.

Families also joined celebrations and shared information about their work, including police officer roles. These contributions connected children's learning with people who help others. Conversations about development and timely referrals were especially relevant for children needing additional help before moving on to school.

The address is 1a Leadale Avenue, Chingford E4 8AT. In April 2025, opening hours were 9am to midday and midday to 3pm, Monday to Friday, during term time; public bank holidays were closures.

In April 2025, the pre-school received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. That participation is a useful part of the inspection-era picture for families weighing preschool attendance.

• Attendance arrangements. The April 2025 opening pattern was term-time weekdays. What attendance pattern and funded-hours arrangement would apply to your child now?
• Extending play. In April 2025, staff did not consistently take children's learning further during interactions. Families should weigh the practical activities alongside this development priority.
• Support for practitioners. In April 2025, individual supervision with leaders was inconsistent. More regular opportunities to discuss practice and concerns were an improvement priority, relevant to the consistency of children's experience.

For families considering term-time preschool care, the April 2025 picture combines hands-on learning, outdoor movement and regular communication with parents. It suits those who value conversation and shared play as much as practical activities. The balance matters: these strengths sat alongside a need for more consistent challenge during play and better individual supervision for staff.