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Rascals

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Mar 2023)
·Fairways Primary School, The Fairway, LEIGH-ON-SEA, SS9 4QW · Southend on Sea
Number of places
53 places
Age range
1–5 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2023
Local authority
Southend on Sea

About this day nursery

Rascals Day Nursery provides a nurturing environment across its two locations in Leigh-on-Sea and Barling, catering to children up to 11 years old. The nursery emphasises a fun and safe learning atmosphere designed to foster children's confidence, self-esteem, and individual growth.

With a team of highly qualified and DBS-checked staff boasting over 45 years of combined experience, Rascals offers full-time childcare with flexible attendance options and no minimum session requirements. The nursery is committed to working in partnership with parents, providing regular updates on each child's progress.

Rascals prides itself on its excellent outdoor areas that encourage exploration and problem-solving, along with nutritious home-cooked meals that adhere to government guidelines. The nursery also offers breakfast, after-school, and school holiday clubs.

Both locations have received outstanding OFSTED reports, reflecting their dedication to providing high-quality childcare in a secure and comfortable setting. Families can arrange visits to the facilities and meet the team to experience the friendly atmosphere firsthand.

What it's like

Children flourish and thrive in this exceptionally wonderful setting, immersed in rich experiences that motivate and inspire them to learn. They receive the utmost care and attention from staff, leading to a feeling of safety and security. Children show deep engagement in their play, with highly ambitious and carefully planned experiences that introduce them to the wider world.

Friendly AtmosphereQualified StaffExcellent Outdoor AreasHome-Cooked MealsFlexible Childcare

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured by age bands for children under 2, age 2, and ages 3-5, with daily rates covering care from 8:00am to 6:00pm including meals and snacks. Early and late extensions are available at set or ad hoc rates, and funded sessions can be supplemented with paid hours, additional days, and optional meals.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • A registration fee of £45.00 is required.
  • Standard day rate (8:00am - 6:00pm) includes all meals and snacks.
  • Consumables and extra-curricular activities for funded hours are charged at 10p per hour.
  • Optional meals for funded sessions are priced individually: breakfast is £2.50, lunch is £2.75, tea is £2.50, snack is 75p.
  • Early drop-offs (from 7:00am) and late pick-ups (until 7:00pm) are available at scheduled or ad hoc rates.

Key facts

Food

All meals and snacks included in daily rate for non-funded children. Home-cooked meals following government guidelines. Optional additional charges for meals for funded children or parents can provide their own.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 7am until 7pm, all year round

Session types

Full Day, Early Hour, Late Hour, Ad Hoc Hours, Funded Hours

Age range

Up to 11 years old

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2003

Waitlist

Unknown

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Rascals

Last inspected 8 March 2023 · Clare Ford

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 flourish and thrive in this exceptionally wonderful setting, immersed in rich experiences that motivate and inspire them to learn. They receive the utmost care and attention from staff, leading to a feeling of safety and security. Children show deep engagement in their play, with highly ambitious and carefully planned experiences that introduce them to the wider world.

Inspector highlights

  • The curriculum is ambitious and inspiring, with leaders having high expectations for children and staff supporting them to build on prior knowledge.
  • Adults skilfully combine their knowledge of children with a secure understanding of child development, resulting in children making rapid progress in their learning.
  • Communication and language are seamlessly woven through the curriculum, with adults consistently using unfamiliar words to develop children's vocabulary.
  • Behaviour across the setting is impeccable, with children showing kindness and respect to their peers, collaborating, and taking turns.
  • Leaders place a high value on supporting children's emotional well-being, with staff highly attuned to children's personalities and emotional needs.
Inspection #10280826 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak extremely positively about the setting.

They praise staff for how well their children have settled into nursery and how happy they are.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive specific and well targeted support. The nursery's special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) applies her extensive knowledge to tailoring individual support plans for children. Highly effective partnerships with parents and professionals further build on the already extensive support that children receive. As a result, children are making exceptional progress in their learning and development.

Outdoor space

The outdoor environment provides an expansive and exciting natural classroom. Children explore with curiosity and wonder, transporting water, digging for treasure and taking care of the fairy garden. They fully embrace the outdoors, despite the cold and wet weather.

Inspection history

Date: November 2011

  • March 2023Outstanding
  • August 2017Outstanding
  • August 2013Good
  • November 2011Good

Frequently asked about Rascals

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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