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Surestart - Where Kids Come First

Ofsted: Good
(Jun 2025)
·
5.0(1 Google review) ·The Ockenden Children's Centre, 2a Afton Drive, SOUTH OCKENDON, RM15 5PA · Thurrock
Number of places
33 places
Age range
1–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2025
Local authority
Thurrock

About this day nursery

Surestart Where Kids Come First is a day nursery in South Ockendon, providing care for children from one to eleven years old. The setting is open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year, and offers funded early education places for eligible children. The curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, with staff planning activities using books as a theme to promote reading. For children who require additional support, the day nursery makes prompt referrals to appropriate services.

The nursery was rated 'Good' by Ofsted following an inspection in June 2025. The inspector found that children have strong attachments with staff and are confident, happy, and secure in a safe environment. Children are provided with a stimulating setting, and older children learn to assess risk and build resilience through challenging play. To improve, Ofsted recommended that the nursery reviews how group activities are organised and embeds consistent strategies to support children who speak English as an additional language.

What it's like

Children come into the nursery excited to learn and to share their news with staff. They are aware of the routines and independently hang their belongings up and make their way to a chosen activity. Children have developed very strong attachments with staff, who have created a safe environment where children are confident, happy and secure. Children are provided with a stimulating learning environment full of activities to explore. Staff plan an exciting curriculum using books as their theme, promoting a love for books and reading.

Strong attachmentsStimulating environmentReading focusResilience buildingEffective safeguardingCommunication support

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks of the year. Sessions are from 8am until 6pm

Term time / All Year

All_year

Registered with Ofsted

2006

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Surestart - Where Kids Come First

Last inspected 25 June 2025

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children come into the nursery excited to learn and to share their news with staff. They are aware of the routines and independently hang their belongings up and make their way to a chosen activity. Children have developed very strong attachments with staff, who have created a safe environment where children are confident, happy and secure. Children are provided with a stimulating learning environment full of activities to explore. Staff plan an exciting curriculum using books as their theme, promoting a love for books and reading.

Inspector highlights

  • Children come into the nursery excited to learn and to share their news with staff.
  • Children have developed very strong attachments with staff, who have created a safe environment where children are confident, happy and secure.
  • Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour, and they have created a culture of mutual respect.
  • Children are provided with a stimulating learning environment full of activities to explore.
  • Children are engaged and enthusiastic when they listen to stories that are brought to life through staff's animated and expressive reading.
  • Effective monitoring systems are in place to ensure all children make good progress.
  • Older children develop resilience, learn how to think ahead, trust themselves and figure out how risky something is when they take part in risky play activities.
  • Overall, staff provide effective support for children's communication and language development.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff in reviewing how group-time activities are organised to best support children's engagement in their learning
  • 2embed consistent supportive strategies to help children who speak English as an additional language to further develop their communication and understanding.
Inspection #10388565 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

When additional support is needed, referrals are made promptly, enabling children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to access appropriate help and continue to achieve well.

EAL / language support

Strategies to help children who speak English as an additional language are not yet fully embedded in practice.

Google Reviews of Surestart - Where Kids Come First

5.0
(1 Google review)

Reviews from Google for Surestart - Where Kids Come First. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: July 2011

  • June 2025Good
  • July 2019Good
  • January 2015Good
  • July 2011Good

Frequently asked about Surestart - Where Kids Come First

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