# HCA Pre-School

HCA Pre-School is a sessional pre-school at Hullbridge Community Association, Pooles Lane, Hullbridge, Hockley, SS5 6PA, in Brandy Hole, Essex. It is registered for 38 children. Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection in September 2025, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/hca-pre-school-402293  
Last checked 5 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Sessional pre-school
- Address: Hullbridge Community Association, Pooles Lane, Hullbridge, Hockley, SS5 6PA
- Registered places: 38
- Phone: 01702 232987
- Website: http://www.hcapreschool.co.uk/
- Ofsted URN: 402293

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection on 18 September 2025, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Good
- Behaviour and attitudes: Good
- Personal development: Good
- Leadership and management: Good

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/402293

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since December 1992 (Reference 402293). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/402293)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 18 September 2025). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/402293)
- Registered places: 38 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/402293)

## Fees

Fees, hours and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

Opening hours and ages: not published yet.

## Getting there

Address: Hullbridge Community Association, Pooles Lane, Hullbridge, Hockley, SS5 6PA

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.628179,0.616034

- 3 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Marsh Farm Country Park, 0.2 miles
- Park: Marsh Farm Animal Adventure Park, 0.3 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.2 miles

NaPTAN, Department for Transport, checked 13 November 2026 · © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Essex there are about 2.9 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings


## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | School remains Good (December 2023) |  | under 0.1 miles |
| Collingwood Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Report card (February 2026) |  | 0.9 miles |
| Trinity St Mary's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School, South Woodham Ferrers | Primary | 4–11 | School remains Good (March 2023) |  | 1.2 miles |
| Elmwood Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | School remains Good (November 2023) |  | 1.2 miles |
| St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, SWF | Primary | 2–11 | Good (June 2024) | yes | 1.2 miles |
| Woodville Primary School | Primary | 5–11 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good (November 2024) |  | 1.7 miles |
| William de Ferrers School | Secondary | 11–18 | Quality of education: Requires improvement; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good (September 2024) |  | 1.2 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [The Hullbridge Preschool](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-hullbridge-preschool-ey469576) | Outstanding |  |  | under 0.1 miles |
| [Twizzle Tops Marsh Farm](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/twizzle-tops-marsh-farm-2834045) | Report card Dec 2025 |  |  | 0.5 miles |
| [Collingwood Under Fives Pre-school](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/collingwood-under-fives-pre-school-508760) | Good |  |  | 0.9 miles |
| [Elmwood Preschool](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/elmwood-preschool-ey482970) | Outstanding |  |  | 1.2 miles |
| [Small Wonders Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/small-wonders-day-nursery-ey451561) | Good |  |  | 1.5 miles |
| [Happy Days Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/happy-days-nursery-ey501527) | Good |  |  | 1.5 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is HCA Pre-School's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated HCA Pre-School Good at its inspection on 18 September 2025, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can HCA Pre-School take?

HCA Pre-School is registered with Ofsted for up to 38 children at any one time.

### What is the nearest station to HCA Pre-School?

South Woodham Ferrers is the nearest station we know of, 1.5 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact HCA Pre-School?

You can call 01702 232987 and visit www.hcapreschool.co.uk.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/402293)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.