Opening hours
7:30am - 6:30pm
Banana Moon Colchester
Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2023)
Number of places
106 places
Age range
1–3 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2023
Local authority
Essex
About this day nursery
Banana Moon Day Nursery Colchester is dedicated to providing exceptional childcare for children aged 0 to 5 years. The nursery focuses on a child-centric approach, viewing everything from a parent's perspective to ensure a secure, loving, and nurturing environment.
They believe in the importance of play-based learning and encourage active participation from children, fostering their natural curiosity and development. The curriculum is designed to support each child's unique journey, with a strong emphasis on their well-being, social skills, and building self-confidence in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.
The nursery values open communication with parents, inviting them to be active partners in their child's development. With a dedicated and professional staff team who regularly undergo training, Banana Moon Colchester strives to provide a stimulating and enriching experience for every child, preparing them for their future educational journey.
The nursery also boasts a great outdoor space and offers freshly prepared meals daily, creating a true "home away from home" for its young attendees. Located within walking distance of Colchester's high street and Castle Park, it offers convenience alongside quality care.
Our ethos
Banana Moon Colchester adopts a child-centric, play-based approach, fostering curiosity and development in a secure, nurturing environment. They emphasise well-being, social skills, and self-confidence, aligning with the EYFS framework. The nursery values open communication and partnership with parents, aiming to create a stimulating, home-away-from-home experience.
What it's like
Children build strong relationships with their key persons, who readily greet them on arrival, helping children to feel safe and secure. Staff are caring and nurturing and respond to children's needs, with children seeking them out for comfort. Children show kindness to their friends, sharing well and playing cooperatively.
Play-based LearningEYFS CurriculumFreshly Prepared MealsDedicated Outdoor SpaceStrong Parent Communication
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Key facts
Age range
0 to 5 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Banana Moon Colchester
Last inspected 27 September 2023
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Children build strong relationships with their key persons, who readily greet them on arrival, helping children to feel safe and secure. Staff are caring and nurturing and respond to children's needs, with children seeking them out for comfort. Children show kindness to their friends, sharing well and playing cooperatively.
Inspector highlights
- Staff have successfully changed their approach to supporting children's behaviour, creating spaces for relaxation and developing methods to help children recognise and name emotions.
- Children have daily opportunities to develop physical skills, with babies learning to walk and older children exploring the garden, climbing and balancing on tyres.
- The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) uses her knowledge and experience to support children who need extra help, sharing her skills with staff to support their professional development.
- Partnerships with parents are strong, with parents speaking positively about their children's experiences and the close bonds formed with staff.
- The manager has set up a children's clothes and food bank to ensure families have access to essential supplies.
Areas to develop
- 1strengthen the quality of staff's teaching to consistently help build on what individual children know and can do to promote children's learning further
- 2refine the organisation of mealtimes to further support children's independence and personal, social and emotional development.
Inspection #10311208 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
parents talk positively about their children's experiences and comment that their children have formed close bonds with staff.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) uses her knowledge and experience to support children who need extra help. She shares her skills with the rest of the staff team to support their professional development to further help the children make good progress. The SENCo has introduced specific methods of teaching, such as picture communication cards, to support children's progress. As a result, children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are consistently supported and make good progress.
Outdoor space
Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills. Older children explore the garden, climbing and balancing on tyres with support from staff.
Parent Reviews of Banana Moon Colchester
4.1
(38)
Samantha Kingsnorth
2 months ago
My three children went to holiday club at banana moons in February and they had the best time 👌 they have begged to go back next half term if they can. The manager Tash and Nicola were so welcoming , and friendly from the word go! Tash particularly reassured me when I was worried about them having to deal with my son's meltdowns who has autism when I am not there.
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louise wha;;
2 months ago
5 stars all round, my little one has not stopped talking about all the fun he had at the holiday club, he has always had a good relationship with the staff there and when in their setting he thrives in every way. They have made pancakes, fruit skewers, been to the library played outside and done arts and crafts and that’s only in two days! He is already counting down the days for the next half term.
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Sam Sheerin
a year ago
My daughter has been coming to Banana Moon Day Nursery since she was one. From that very first day to now coming towards her last days, the staff are exceptional and have contributed so much to her growth. The Daily updates and photos are such an amazing touch for the parents, you can see what your child is up to during the day. The selection of food and snacks is a huge range and gives the opportunity for the kids to explore new tastes and textures. There are just too many staff to name that have been truly wonderful, but Sophie, Kiera, Billie and Katherine are just some to mention. If your considering sending your child here you most definitely won't regret it.
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Amber Charman
9 months ago
My son started coming to holiday club back at Easter time, he has been every time since and absolutely loves it! The staff are so lovely and welcoming! Never had any issues! And we look forward to coming again in October
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Amber Rose
a year ago
My son is currently attending Holiday club at banana moon, we don’t often attend any holiday clubs but this time we decided it would be great for him do something different, he is absolutely loving it, I’ve never seen him so excited to get out the door every morning! Given the chance I don’t think he’d actually want to come home he is enjoying it that much! We will definitely be attending again in the future!
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Banana Moon Colchester. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2023
Date: April 2017
- September 2023Good
- June 2023Inadequate
- July 2018Good
- April 2017Good
Frequently asked about Banana Moon Colchester
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