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Bright Stars Pre-School

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Mar 2023)
·Ongar Primary School, Milton Cres, ONGAR, CM5 0FF · Essex
Number of places
23 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2023
Local authority
Essex

About this early years setting

Bright Stars Pre-School in Ongar, established in 2009, provides outstanding childcare for children aged 2 to 4 years during term time, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm. Children arrive eager to learn and happily separate from parents, engaging in activities with high levels of concentration, perseverance, and enjoyment.

The setting prides itself on fostering independence, with children confidently moving between the indoor environment and the garden to select resources that interest them, demonstrating sequenced learning in their play. Staff work exceptionally well with other professionals to provide highly effective, tailored support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), ensuring all children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds, make outstanding progress.

The curriculum is exemplary and carefully sequenced, based on children's interests and current research, and delivered by highly skilled and knowledgeable staff. Communication and language development are a strong focus, with staff utilising various strategies, including sign language and role-modelling, to support children's vocabulary and confidence.

The leadership team has a clear vision for continuous improvement, valuing staff well-being and professional development. Strong relationships with parents are a cornerstone of the pre-school, with ample information shared about children's daily activities and progress, contributing to the highest levels of child outcomes.

What it's like

Children arrive at the pre-school eager and ready to play, happily separating from parents with welcoming staff. They show high levels of concentration, perseverance, and enjoyment in activities, delighting in interactions with peers and behaving impeccably. Children are independent, inquisitive, and confident, freely moving between indoor and outdoor environments to select resources that interest them and demonstrate sequenced learning.

Outstanding EducationExceptional SEND SupportStrong Parent PartnershipsSkilled StaffTailored CurriculumOutdoor Learning Opportunities for Outdoor Learning

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday during school term time only. Sessions are from 9am to 3pm.

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Bright Stars Pre-School

Last inspected 15 March 2023

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

Children arrive at the pre-school eager and ready to play, happily separating from parents with welcoming staff. They show high levels of concentration, perseverance, and enjoyment in activities, delighting in interactions with peers and behaving impeccably. Children are independent, inquisitive, and confident, freely moving between indoor and outdoor environments to select resources that interest them and demonstrate sequenced learning.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff effectively support children with SEND, ensuring tailored support and good progress.
  • Staff are highly skilled at developing children's communication and language skills, using various strategies including sign language, and role modelling.
  • The manager and staff build impressive relationships with parents, engaging them in their child's learning and providing ample information.
  • The leadership team has a clear vision for continuous improvement, supporting staff well-being and professional development.
  • Staff are highly skilled and knowledgeable, implementing an exemplary, sequenced curriculum that ensures all children make outstanding progress.
Inspection #10276535 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff work exceedingly well with other professionals, ensuring that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive highly effective, tailored support and progress well. All children make outstanding progress in relation to their starting points, including children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Outdoor space

Children are extremely independent, inquisitive and confident. They freely move between the garden and indoor environment and select resources that interest them to enhance their play.

Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2023

Date: December 2009

  • March 2023Outstanding
  • July 2017Good
  • March 2014Good
  • December 2009Good

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