Private soft play sessions for schools in Essex and nearby areas, with lighting, music and group sizes planned around your pupils. Our double-decker has three play floors and two slides, with standard soft play sessions for children aged 2–10.
Enquire about a SEND school visit, or read our SEND reviews.
Why we offer SEND soft play sessions
Essex Soft Play Bus wasn’t created as just another children’s entertainment business.
It was created from lived experience.
As a mum to a child with autism, I saw how overwhelming traditional soft play centres can be — loud music, crowded spaces, unpredictable environments.
Yet he loved soft play itself.
The climbing.
The slides.
The movement.
The sensory input.
He just needed it in the right setting.
So we built one.
A fully enclosed, private, structured environment where lighting, sound and group size can be adjusted to suit the children attending.
Because SEND doesn’t mean less fun.
It means the environment needs to fit the child.
📩 Enquire About a School Session
🧠 Sensory-Adjustable Environment
Tell us what works for your pupils before booking. We can discuss UV or standard white lighting, reduced lighting, quieter music or a session without music. Group sizes and the session plan can be agreed with your school team.
👥 Private & Controlled Sessions
The bus is reserved for your school group, with children playing alongside their classmates and familiar staff. Lighting, music and group sizes can be agreed before the visit. There is room for up to 30 children, and smaller groups can be arranged for a quieter session.
🌙🧸 Calm Lighting
✨💡Party Lighting
School and community experience across our party-bus team
The schools and groups below are examples from our wider Soft Play and Gaming Bus team. Ask us about a suitable session for your pupils.
Specialist Autism & SEND Schools
* The Grove School – North London
* Chatten Free School – Witham
* St Ann’s School – Ealing
* Linden Bridge School – Sutton
* The Ark Centre
* Haven House
* Learning in Harmony
* Motivated Mind
* Space4me – Beckton Community Centre
Mainstream Schools (SEN Units & Inclusion Classes)
* Leigh Beck Infant & Nursery Academy – Canvey
* William Read Primary – Canvey
* Northwick Park Primary – Canvey
Youth & Community Provision
* Vibe Youth Club – Dagenham
* BOSCP – Pitsea
* Mistley Kids Club
🎯 Physical & Sensory Development
Our double decker includes:
* 3 floors of structured play
* 2 slides from top to lower deck
* Illuminated ball pits
* Climbing wall, rollers, crawl tubes and obstacles
Sessions support:
* Gross motor skills
* Balance & coordination
* Vestibular input
* Proprioceptive feedback
* Confidence building
* Social interaction within familiar groups
🛡 Safety & Compliance
* Fully DBS checked staff
* Full Public Liability Insurance
* Regular vehicle servicing and safety checks
We work alongside your staff team.
Supervision remains with school staff in line with safeguarding best practice
🏫 Suitable For
* End-of-term reward sessions
* SEND enrichment days
* Alternative PE
* Nurture groups
* Transition support
* Smaller structured sessions
📩 Enquire About a School Session
Request a SEND session and postcode quote. For other school celebrations, explore our school reward days.
SEND REVIEWS
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
“One thing that really stood out to me was how naturally he supported the SEN children. When one of the children became overwhelmed by the excitement and noise, Phil didn’t rush or dismiss it. He quietly gave them space, spoke gently, and helped them rejoin when they were ready. That understanding and flexibility meant so much. He also let my daughter sit in the driver’s seat for photos, which made her feel incredibly special and seen.”
Parent review
Five-star parent feedback · excerpt
Wow, what can I say …from start to finish our experience was absolutely fantastic.
While booking the soft play bus, Laura was so easy to talk to and incredibly helpful with every question I had. As a mum of SEN children, I always have extra things to check and think about, but she made the whole process completely stress free and reassuring.
On the day of the party, Phil arrived on time and had everything set up so quickly. From the moment he got there, he was amazing with the children, especially my daughter. He was calm, patient and genuinely engaging.
One thing that really stood out to me was how naturally he supported the SEN children. When one of the children became overwhelmed by the excitement and noise, Phil didn’t rush or dismiss it. He quietly gave them space, spoke gently, and helped them rejoin when they were ready. That understanding and flexibility meant so much. He also let my daughter sit in the driver’s seat for photos, which made her feel incredibly special and seen.
He was fantastic with all 25 children, making sure every single one of them felt included and had the best time.
As for the soft play bus itself – WOW! It’s incredible how much they fit inside. From ball pits and slides to climbing nets and the cool glow-in-the-dark areas, it kept the children completely engaged.
This was a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ experience and I would highly recommend them, especially to families with children with additional needs. Thank you Phil and Laura , we’ll definitely be booking again (if I can’t find another excuse to do it sooner!).
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
“During the party he noticed one child covering his ears when the excitement got loud and immediately lowered his voice, encouraged calmer play for a few minutes, and checked in quietly to make sure they were okay. He handled it so naturally that none of the other children even realised, and it prevented what could have easily turned into a meltdown. That level of awareness is hard to find and Darren’s understanding really stood out.”
Zara Neal
Five-star Google review · excerpt
We booked Essex Soft Play Bus for my sons party and it was amazing!!
Darren was outstanding. !! During the party he noticed one child covering his ears when the excitement got loud and immediately lowered his voice, encouraged calmer play for a few minutes, and checked in quietly to make sure they were okay. He handled it so naturally that none of the other children even realised, and it prevented what could have easily turned into a meltdown. That level of awareness is hard to find and Darren’s understanding really stood out.
A genuinely inclusive and stress-free experience. I would highly recommend Essex Soft Play Bus, !!
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
“We had the Soft Play Bus yesterday for my grandson’s birthday. It was fantastic and all the children loved it. Darren the driver enquired before the children arrived whether any of them were SEN so that he could alter the lights and sounds accordingly. Very good service”
Jan Alexander
Five-star Google review
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
“The Essex Soft Play bus have been to the Ark Centre CIC in Chelmsford twice now and we cannot recommend them enough. As a specialist setting for children with additional needs, it can be tricky for our children to engage in activities different to our routine. However, Darren has been so accommodating and friendly. He was able to make every child feel safe and enjoy being on the party bus.”
Rebekah Smithers
Five-star Google review · excerpt
The Essex Soft Play bus have been to the Ark Centre CIC in Chelmsford twice now and we cannot recommend them enough. As a specialist setting for children with additional needs, it can be tricky for our children to engage in activities different to our routine. However, Darren has been so accommodating and friendly. He was able to make every child feel safe and enjoy being on the party bus. The bus is perfect for small parties and we are so grateful for how they were able to make the session enjoyable for each child. Thank you Darren for going above and beyond for us!!
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
“My son had the best time on the bus! He has autism so I was a bit nervous on how it was going to go, however the party host Darren took the time to understand his special needs and made the party amazing. All the music was turned off and he could just be himself in a safe environment. We will be booking again for next year!! THANK YOU so much for ‘accepting’ my son with no judgement xxx”
Rebecca Earey
Five-star Google review
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
“We hired the soft play bus last night for my sons 7th birthday and everyone had the best time!!! 🥳 Our host was Darren and he was absolutely brilliant 🙌🏽. This bus is also perfect for children with SEN ❤️ Highly recommend and will definitely be hiring again! Until next time 🎈 x”
Sky-Leanne Chinery
Five-star Google review
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
“I hired the softplay bus for my son’s 4th birthday party last week. We had around 20 children and there was so much space for all of them. The bus itself was very well laid out, very clean and had SEN lighting which great for some of the children. Darren (the bus driver) is fantastic!”
Lauren Hammond
Five-star Google review · excerpt
I hired the softplay bus for my son’s 4th birthday party last week. We had around 20 children and there was so much space for all of them. The bus itself was very well laid out, very clean and had SEN lighting which great for some of the children. Darren (the bus driver) is fantastic! He is a really friendly and down to earth guy who is fuelled by coffee so make sure you have some for him 😉 Darren took some great photos and videos of the children with our consent which was lovely to send to my sons friends parents after the party. We will definitely be hiring again in the future and would recommend to anyone and everyone.
THANK YOU!!!! 🙏
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
“My son Ralphie is autistic and non verbal and is obsessed with busses not only did Essex soft play make my sons 4th birthday amazing yesterday but Darren was so understanding with little Ralphie to I really appreciate everything Thankyou again deffiently re booking for another event”
Sherise Danielle Frith
Five-star Google review · excerpt
A big massive thankyou to Essex soft play bus
And a huge thankyou to the man named Darren what a lovely and understanding and kind man very patient with the kids being on and off of the bus looking out for cars coming down the road because again the children was on and off the bus I am so over the moon from start to finish
My son Ralphie is autistic and non verbal and is obsessed with busses not only did Essex soft play make my sons 4th birthday amazing yesterday but Darren was so understanding with little Ralphie to I really appreciate everything Thankyou again deffiently re booking for another event
★★★★★ Rated 5 out of 5
“The soft play bus is brilliant, my kids had an amazing time and the service was great. Very SEN friendly and welcoming.”
Roxanne Hughes
Five-star Google review
NOTE : If you are unsure about anything then call us on
07503 085394
