Peek A Boo Pre School

In February 2024, a pretend supermarket, construction bricks and space to grow vegetables gave Peek A Boo Pre School a practical, hands-on character. Its setting is Union Congregational Church in Leigh On Sea, with capacity for 20 children. Everyday experiences provided the material for play then.

At its February 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective, while identifying improvements needed in children's creative freedom and consistency of support for their care needs. Children attending then were aged two to four. These findings give families both strengths to weigh and specific points to explore.

In February 2024, children could select their own play materials, with different construction bricks supporting increasingly complicated building. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: here, the inspection-era examples show how play brought conversation, early reading and mathematics together.

A pretend supermarket turned experiences from regular local outings into imaginative play. Children discussed prices, used shopping lists and explored balancing scales. Adults gave them thinking time rather than immediately supplying answers, making familiar situations opportunities to reason and talk.

Outdoor learning also had a practical purpose. In February 2024, children helped assess outdoor risks and grew vegetables, connecting responsibility with an understanding of food. However, adults sometimes steered activities too closely, and some materials restricted children's creativity. Choice was present, but children's own ideas needed more room.

In February 2024, settling sessions and information about children's interests helped key staff establish relationships; a choosing book let children request different resources. Staff also used breathing techniques to help children handle emotions. These were concrete ways to support participation and self-expression.

At the February 2024 inspection, Ofsted found effective collaboration with professionals and individually tailored programmes supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, but also found that staff sometimes lacked confidence in advising parents about toilet training, leading to inconsistent support for care and independence. Families therefore have a specific care issue to discuss, alongside the arrangements for additional support.

Parents had been consulted about how they wanted information delivered. In February 2024, staff also exchanged information with other settings, while contact with a nearby school's Reception children and events helped children become familiar with school life.

The address is Union Congregational Church, 90 Pall Mall, Leigh On Sea, SS9 1RG.

In February 2024, opening hours were 8.45am to 2.45pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. That timetable offered daytime care within the school-term calendar, rather than covering school holidays. At that date, the pre-school provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four.

• Creative freedom. In February 2024, some activities were too closely directed by adults. During a visit, look at how children develop their own ideas and choose materials.
• Toilet training and independence. The February 2024 findings identified inconsistent guidance to parents. Discuss how staff and families agree a shared approach to your child's care.
• Attendance fit. The February 2024 timetable was term-time daytime provision. What current attendance arrangement would fit your family's working week and holiday needs?

Peek A Boo Pre School merits consideration for families drawn to practical play, local outings and a small setting's overall capacity. Its February 2024 picture suits parents seeking term-time daytime care. The strongest examples connect ordinary experiences with language and problem-solving; creative freedom and consistent care guidance are the points to examine closely.