Friary Preschool Maldon

The Friary Pre-school is a small friendly pre-school located in the heart of Maldon. It is part of Adult Community Learning and we give priority for spaces to the children of parents/carers attending courses.

About us

The pre-school is run by fully qualified staff and provides care for children aged 2-5. The maximum number of children at any session is 15 with a minimum of 3 members of staff. The small number in our group enables us to build close relationships with the children and their families.

We have a large enclosed garden which the children access daily.

We use an online record keeping system called ‘Tapestry’, which gives parents/carers instant access to their child’s learning journey and the opportunity to add observations from home. It is also a great tool for parents to keep in contact with their child’s keyperson.

 

Rated Good by Ofsted 

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We are also one of the only settings in Essex to achieve a Good beginnings Early years gold award as an Autism Friendly Setting.

 

Visit from: Dr Julie Chase, Senior Specialist Educational Psychologist in 2023

“ I really enjoyed visiting your pre-school. It felt like such a safe and nurturing place where children were really in a good place to explore and develop.  I was particularly impressed with staff skills with intensive interaction technique which I often recommend but rarely observe in practice.”

Opening Times

We are open Monday – Friday term time only

  • Mornings sessions        09.00 -12.00
  • Afternoon sessions       12.00 –15.00
  • All day session              09.00 –15.00

Contact Us

News & Events

Sessions & Fees

Prices per Child

  • 2-3 year olds  £5.50 per hour
  • 3-5 year olds  £5.00 per hour

 

Click here for additional funding information.

 

We are registered with the local authority to offer free places to eligible two, three and four year olds. Registration for 2 year old funding can now be done by parents/carers online. Funded two year olds are entitled to 15 hours free childcare per week. This funding can only be used by one nominated setting and is not transferrale except in exceptional circumstances.

Parents do not have to register for three and four year old funding, it automatically starts from the term after the child’s third birthday and is also for 15 hours per week.  Parents/carers can choose to split this funding between two settings if they wish to.

Additional support with childcare costs via various schemes is now being offered by the government including an additional 15 hours per week for working parents. An explanation of all government childcare support can be found at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

Our Team

We are a small dedicated team of experienced staff, who between us have over 100 years of childcare experience!!!

We work together to plan individually for the needs of each child in our care helping them towards achieving their full potential.

We are all trained in Paediatric first aid and have designated officers for Safeguarding and Special educational needs.

We build close relationships with our families, taking care to listen to what parents have to tell us about their children and work with them to plan for the needs of their child.

We pride ourselves on our inclusivity, doing our utmost to make everyone feel welcome and valued.

Feedback

A parent commented ‘I have been made to feel that what my child needs is important and that my child is important and he is not just a statistic’.

Another one commented ‘Caring, considerate and knowledgeable staff who go the extra mile to meet all my son’s needs’

 

We like the children to learn and develop through self- exploration and provide open ended equipment and materials for them to investigate. We follow their lead supporting and encouraging where needed.

 

We like to get involved in the local community and have taken part in Maldon carnival, Maldon in Bloom and regularly have a stall at Maldon’s vintage evenings.

“You guys have supported our son in every single way even when we had no idea how to support him….”

You guys have supported our son in every single way even when we had no idea how to support him, he’s learnt so much by being with you. Beyond that you have supported us as a family. Above and beyond doesn’t even get close to how I feel about what you do.

Friary Pre-School, Leanne (Parent)

Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in October 2017…”

Children’s learning is meticulously planned. Staff share what they know about each child and work exceptionally well as a team. They have a very clear understanding of how they can help each child to flourish. Children make excellent progress.

Friary Pre-School Ofsted report

Preschool & nursery enquiry form

Preschool enquiry form