The Harwich Centre Pre-school offers a very fun welcoming setting based in Harwich. The pre-school is part of Adult Community Learning, most of our children come from the local community but 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 pre-school incorporates two large playrooms of equal size.
Our Tweenies room caters for children aged 2 – 3 years. The maximum number of 2 year olds at any one session is 16 with a minimum of 4 members of staff. Our Rising stars room caters for children aged 3 – School age. The maximum number of 3&4 year olds at any one session is 28 with a minimum of 4 members of staff. Each room has their own large enclosed outside play area which the children access freely during the session.
Parent partnership is very important to us. Each child is assigned a key worker who will work with you to support your child’s learning and development. Each child has a paper-based learning journal, known to children as their ‘Special book’.Their special book contains photo’s observations development records and the children’s work
Learning journals are free for parents/carers to access and you are welcome to add your own photographs and comments if you so wish. Parents/carers are invited to progress meetings with their child’s keyworker each term.
Harwich Centre Pre-school is fully inclusive and welcomes all children and families to their setting.
Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2018
The inspector said ‘Staff take a great deal of care to ensure that all children have equal opportunities to learn, play and enjoy their time at the pre-school. The indoor and outdoor environments are welcoming and provide a broad range of activities to support children’s learning and development.
Opening Times
We are open Monday – Friday term time only
Tweenies our 2-3 year olds
- Mornings sessions 09:15 -12:15
- Afternoon sessions 12:15 –15:15
- All day session 09:15 –15:15
Rising Stars our 3 years – school age
- Mornings sessions 09:00 -12:00
- Afternoon sessions 12:30 –15:30
- All day session 09:00 –15:30
Contact Us
- Address – Harwich Centre Pre-school Adult Community Learning, Main Road, Harwich, CO12 4AJ
- Phone – 03330132437
- Email – carole.morgan@essex.gov.uk
Sessions & Fees
Prices per Child
- 2-3 year olds – £13.00 per 3 hour session
- 3-5 year olds – £13.00 per 3 hour session
- Full Day – £26.00 – £2.00 added for lunch time care
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. https://www.essex.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs
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 transferrable 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.
Working parents may be eligible for 30 hours free childcare 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 dedicated team of 13 qualified staff who between us have over 100 years of childcare experience!!!
We are a cheery happy team who just love to explore, get messy and have fun with the children.
We are all trained in Paediatric first aid. The manager and deputy are designated officers for Safeguarding
We have a qualified Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) in both Tweenies and Rising stars room.
We are a totally inclusive team who believes that every child deserves the very best quality of care and attention that the setting can offer.
All staff attend various early years training courses for continuous professional development.
We believe that parents/carers are a child’s first educator and recognise how important it is for us to have a good working relationship with parents.
A parent commented “The pre-school has a really good feel to it, I can tell my child will be really happy here”
“Staff take a great deal of care to ensure that all children have equal opportunities to learn, play and enjoy their time at the pre-school…”
Staff take a great deal of care to ensure that all children have equal opportunities to learn, play and enjoy their time at the pre-school. The indoor and outdoor environments are welcoming and provide a broad range of activities to help support children’s learning and development
Ofsted February 2018