Elm Park Baptist Church Playgroup - Sessional term-time Preschool for the whole community

We are a termtime preschool in Elm Park, Hornchurch.

• We play, read stories, sing songs/rhymes, and make things
• We join in activities involving cooking and planting, play ring games and have a daily PE session – learning to jump, skip, dance to music, balance, throw balls and use equipment
• We have lots of messy play with paint, glue, sand, water and other textures such as compost, sawdust, shaving foam, rice and pasta etc
• We follow the 7 Areas of the EYFS and tailor your child's learning to their specific needs
• Each child has a KeyTeacher who helps your child feel safe and secure, and who helps them with their care and education
• We learn to count, give meaning to numbers, recognise our names and learn pre-writing skills
• We follow the guidance from the Government on school-readiness
• We have visiting professional helpers come and join us for music, sport etc
• We make friends with other children and have LOTS OF FUN!

History

Elm Park Baptist Church Playgroup opened in 1967 and is one of the oldest settings in the area.
The original name ‘Playgroup’ has been retained to acknowledge the setting’s history, even though we are a preschool open during term-time.

Our Setting

We use the halls at the back of the local Baptist Church, close to local shops, residential properties, TfL buses and the London Underground Station.

We provide care in two adjoining halls and large outside play area. The garden has six foot security fencing around it and is used every session whenever possible.

Children can play with friends of all ages, mixing at will, apart from registration, meals and getting ready for school times.  They can independently free-flow through various areas within the preschool accessing the two halls, a large Church hall and the outside garden.

All our staff are NVQ3 qualified and have qualifications in Paediatric First Aid, Safeguarding, Food Hygiene and Fire Awareness.

We have an accredited SENDCo who has completed specific training to support children who need extra help.

Pre-school is open 38 weeks a year, term time only.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday:

9am to 12 noon (3 hours)
12 noon to 2.45pm (2.45 hours)
OR
9am to 2.45pm (5 hours 45mins)

PLUS Friday 9am to 12 noon (3 hours)

We are happy to work alongside another Provider to deliver the full 30 hours Extended Funding to eligible families.

We accept:

• 2-year-old low-income children and families eligible for 15 hours funding during term-time.  This must be applied for by the family through the Havering Early Years, Childcare and Funding page online

• 3-and-4-year-old children and families eligible for 15 hours per week funded “universal” childcare during term-time.  Preschool arranges this funding.

• 2, 3 and 4-year-old children with working parents who meet certain employment criteria eligible for “extended” 30 hours funded childcare during term-time.  Eligible families apply for a code at Childcare.Choices.gov.uk. 

• Tax Free Childcare for working parents who have applied for a government code

• Universal Tax Credits

• Student Childcare Grants

We welcome parents who wish to pay for any hours over their government funded hours, or if your child is taking part of their entitlement elsewhere, or if your child is not funded due to their age or eligibility.

Please visit our website www.epbcp.co.uk for more details

page updated 05.11.25