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Friars Centre Playgroup

Ofsted: Strong standard·
4.5(2 Google reviews) ·8 Centurion Close, Shoeburyness, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, SS3 9UT · Southend on Sea
Number of places
46 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2026
Local authority
Southend on Sea

About this early years setting

Friars Centre Playgroup, a childcare setting on non-domestic premises in Shoeburyness, SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, SS3 9UT, is recognised for its strong standard across all areas of inspection. Registered with Ofsted on 26/09/2024, the playgroup fosters an inclusive environment where children aged 2 to 4 years achieve remarkably well from their individual starting points.

The curriculum, designed with communication, language, emotional wellbeing, and independence at its core, ensures children develop strong social, physical, and cognitive skills. For instance, children confidently share ideas, engage in critical thinking, and build resilience, making notable progress towards their next stage of learning, including school.

The setting excels in supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those facing disadvantage, employing two qualified SEND coordinators and utilising tools like Makaton and communication boards. Leaders are deeply committed to staff professional development, with recent training in areas such as Makaton and behaviour management.

They also actively support families and the wider community, offering workshops and support networks, which enhances parental wellbeing and children's emotional security and learning. While opportunities for children to take responsibility for managing their own lunch items are being strengthened, the playgroup continuously strives for improvement, ensuring children feel safe, secure, and valued.

What it's like

Children arrive happy and eager to start their day, settling quickly into play, confidently self-registering and moving independently. They feel safe and secure due to warm, trusting relationships with staff. They enjoy a rich range of experiences that spark curiosity and imagination, delighting in sharing ideas and discoveries. Children develop remarkable social skills and show kindness, learning in an inclusive environment where differences are respected.

Strong standardsInclusive curriculumSEND expertisePhysical developmentEmotional wellbeingFamily support

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

8:30am-8:45am drop-off window for Reception, KS1 and KS2. Reception and KS1 finish at 3:00pm and KS2 finish at 3:15pm.

Age range

3-4 years (Nursery) to 11 years (Year 6)

Session types

Full day

Registered with Ofsted

2024

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected Jun 2026

Headline: Strong standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementStrong standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
2 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted report for Friars Centre Playgroup

Last inspected 15 June 2026

What it's like to attend

Children arrive happy and eager to start their day, settling quickly into play, confidently self-registering and moving independently. They feel safe and secure due to warm, trusting relationships with staff. They enjoy a rich range of experiences that spark curiosity and imagination, delighting in sharing ideas and discoveries. Children develop remarkable social skills and show kindness, learning in an inclusive environment where differences are respected.

Inspector highlights

  • Children achieve remarkably well across all areas of learning and development from their individual starting points.
  • Children develop prominent communication skills and confidently share ideas, recall previous learning and engage in conversations.
  • Children develop secure mathematical understanding through everyday experiences.
  • Children develop secure physical skills and increasing independence, managing routines such as self-registration and toileting independently.
  • Children build resilience, confidence and emotional security, forming positive friendships and managing emotions.
  • Leaders have designed an ambitious and inclusive curriculum that places communication, language, emotional wellbeing and independence at its core.
  • Physical development is skilfully promoted through a wide range of indoor and outdoor experiences.
  • Inclusion is a significant strength of the setting, with children with special educational needs and/or disabilities making remarkable progress.
  • Leaders support disadvantaged children particularly well, using funding thoughtfully to provide sensory resources, literacy materials and experiences that promote emotional wellbeing and learning.
  • Staff actively promote respect and tolerance through meaningful discussions about different cultures, family circumstances and individual needs.

Areas to develop

  • 1Leaders should strengthen daily mealtime experiences so that all children consistently have opportunities to develop independence and self-help skills in readiness for their next stage of learning.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders identify children's needs early and work closely with families and external professionals to reduce barriers to learning and wellbeing. The setting has a knowledgeable team, including 2 qualified special educational needs coordinators, who use communication boards, Makaton, sensory resources and targeted support to help children access the curriculum and develop confidence.

Google Reviews of Friars Centre Playgroup

4.5
(2 Google reviews)
Lauren
6 years ago

My son goes here and has come on leaps and bounds. My youngest is due to start in the next few months and I can't wait for him to start.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Friars Centre Playgroup. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

15 June 2026

Strong standard

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more