Whitehouse Playgroup Preschool

Inspection of Whitehouse Playgroup Preschool Benvenue Avenue, Eastwood, Southend on Sea, Essex SS9 5SJ

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children flourish at this warm and inviting pre-school. Clear routines support smooth transitions and emotional security. Staff use a range of songs, rhymes and timers to signal changes, such as tidy up or handwashing time. This helps children understand what to expect and feel safe and confident in their daily routines. Staff nurture emotional well-being through positive relationships and gentle guidance. For example, feelings are explored in stories, and staff help children identify emotions, such as sad or happy. Babies are supported through calm, caring and responsive interactions. This supports children to learn about empathy, kindness and emotional regulation.

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The provision is good

The curriculum is implemented through rich, hands-on experiences that promote curiosity, independence and a love of learning. Staff skilfully use everyday play and outdoor learning to develop children's skills. For example, children enjoy activities such as ball and conker rolling, potion making and leaf printing. This helps them explore colours, textures and natural changes through the seasons. Staff narrate play, use descriptive language and ask open questions to extend thinking. As a result, children become confident explorers, who think critically. They use rich language and show persistence and pride in their learning. Children make good progress from their starting points and show deep curiosity about the world around them.

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need to do better?

n The curriculum is well thought out and designed to give children the skills, knowledge and confidence they need for future learning. Staff have a clear understanding of what children should learn and plan experiences that build on what they already know and can do. For example, forest school sessions encourage resilience, problem-solving and a love of the outdoors. Children develop confidence and curiosity through real-life, hands-on learning. They become active learners who can manage risks, and show care for their environment. n Communication is consistently prioritised through meaningful interactions, songs and stories. Babies hear rich language through play with dolls and sensory materials. Older children engage in discussions and storytelling that build vocabulary and comprehension. Children of all ages become confident communicators, who can express themselves clearly, listen attentively and enjoy

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need to do better?

sharing ideas. n Staff plan frequent opportunities for movement, coordination and independence across the day. Outdoor play includes balancing, climbing and using wheeled toys. Children show their developing fine motor skills as they use a range of tools and equipment. Snack times encourage children to take responsibility. They

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need to do better?

29 September 2025 clean the tables and sweep the floor. Children gain confidence in their physical abilities, understand risk safely and develop self-care skills that prepare them for school and daily life. n Staff provide wide-ranging opportunities for children to connect with nature and understand growth and decay. For example, children observe pumpkins decompose and regrow, explore bug habitats and use natural materials for art and exploration. This helps children develop curiosity, respect for living things and a deeper understanding of the natural world. n Staff weave early mathematics and critical thinking into play. Children count animals in the sand tray and compare sizes. During 'potion play', children explore cause and effect as they mix ingredients and notice changes. This helps children begin to compare and predict, supporting developing early numeracy and problem-solving skills. n Strong partnerships with parents are at the heart of the pre-school's approach.

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need to do better?

Staff build positive and trusting relationships that support each child's learning and well-being, both in the pre-school and at home.Staff maintain excellent communication through regular updates, sharing progress and offering ideas for home learning. The close partnership between staff and parents creates a nurturing environment, where children thrive socially, emotionally and academically. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported to make the progress they are capable of. Leaders and staff work with parents and professionals to create individual support plans with clear learning targets for children. However, some opportunities do not enable children with SEND to fully participate in larger group activities because their personal learning styles have not been planned for. This means that some children are not fully supported to remain actively engaged in their learning.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n enhance the already good support for children with SEND by extending the use of individualised strategies and tools to ensure all children can fully participate and remain engaged in learning.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 119537 Local authority Southend-on-Sea Inspection number 10399266 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 25 Number of children on roll 44 Name of registered person Whitehouse Playgroup Committee

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reference number

Telephone number 01702 511863 Date of previous inspection 26 November 2019

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Information about this early years setting

Whitehouse Playgroup Preschool registered in 1998. The pre-school employs 10 members of childcare staff. Of these, two hold an appropriate early years qualification at level 6, one at level 5, five at level 3 and two staff at apprentice level 3. The pre-school opens from Monday to Friday, during term time only. Sessions are from 8.30am to 3pm. The pre-school provides funded early education for eligible children.

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Inspection activities

n The deputy manager, manager and inspector completed a learning walk together of all areas of the pre-school and discussed the early years curriculum. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with SEND. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The manager and the inspector carried out a joint observation of an outdoor activity. n Parents shared their views of the setting with the inspector. n The inspector looked at relevant documentation and reviewed evidence of the suitability of staff working in the nursery.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

29 September 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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