St.Teresa's Pre-School

Growing vegetables, preparing fruit and inventing stories in a mud kitchen gave St.Teresa's Pre-School a practical, hands-on character in September 2025. Independence was part of ordinary play and mealtimes, rather than a separate activity.

Ofsted rated the pre-school Good on 16 September 2025 and judged its safeguarding arrangements effective. Based at the Parish Centre in Rochford, it has 12 places in total; children attending at that visit were aged two to four.

In September 2025, children explored a water tray and mud kitchen, searched for ladybirds using magnifying glasses and invented potions as part of their storytelling. Adults introduced mark-making into that play, connecting children's imaginative ideas with early communication skills.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care: here, the September 2025 examples included learning through stories, practical tasks and play. Children shaped play dough into monster body parts, experimented with coloured water and used computer games. These gave them different ways to investigate, create and tackle challenges.

Growing fruit and vegetables and recycling waste brought healthy living into the day. Children also practised preparing fruit and pouring their own drinks. The emphasis was concrete: doing manageable tasks for themselves.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that children with SEND received effective support through early recognition of needs, collaboration with families and professionals, and individual support plans, with positive developmental progress and transitions to school.

In September 2025, staff helped children resolve disagreements through discussion and modelled sharing and turn-taking. Children formed friendships, while predictable expectations helped activities change over calmly. Stories, action songs, role play and celebrations of children's cultures and faiths gave them opportunities to express themselves.

Staff observed children's development and set individual targets. Links with parents and local professionals supported communication and transitions, including visits involving the local fire department. This connected children's experiences with people beyond the pre-school.

The address is Parish Centre, 109 Ashingdon Road, Rochford, SS4 1RF.

In September 2025, opening hours were 9am to 3pm from Monday to Wednesday, and 9am to midday on Thursday and Friday, during term time. That pattern matters for families comparing care across the working week: the latter two days finished earlier.

• Mathematical challenge. In September 2025, teaching did not consistently stretch children's mathematical understanding far enough. Families wanting substantial challenge should weigh this improvement priority alongside the practical activities.
• Conversation skills. In September 2025, staff introduced vocabulary but did not consistently use interactions that encouraged longer responses. Extending children's opportunities to talk was another improvement priority.
• The weekly pattern. September 2025 hours combined longer opening days with two shorter days, during term time. Would the current attendance arrangements fit your family's week?

The September 2025 picture suits families who value practical independence, imaginative play and close working relationships around children's needs. Vegetable growing, fruit preparation and storytelling gave those priorities substance. The term-time opening pattern would suit families whose arrangements can accommodate shorter Thursdays and Fridays, while the priorities around mathematics and conversation deserve attention.