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Butterfly Blue Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2024)
·
3.9(18 parent reviews) ·Former Garrison Theatre, Richmond Road, COLCHESTER, CO2 7FJ · Essex
Number of places
120 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2024
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Butterfly Blue Day Nursery, established in 2013, operates from a beautifully renovated garrison theatre building dating back to 1890. This unique setting in Colchester provides a stimulating environment for children aged three months to five years, while retaining the historical charm of the original structure.

The nursery is open all year, closing only for bank holidays, and offers both full and part-time sessions between 8 am and 6 pm. With a capacity for 120 children, Butterfly Blue boasts two exceptionally well-equipped gardens featuring astro turf, ensuring outdoor play and learning are accessible regardless of the weather.

The curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with a strong emphasis on continuous assessment through learning journeys and a key person system to foster strong bonds between children, practitioners, and parents. French language activities are also offered for older preschool children.

Our ethos

The nursery's curriculum is based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with a strong emphasis on continuous assessment through learning journeys and a key person system to foster strong bonds between children, practitioners, and parents. French language activities are also offered for older preschool children.

What it's like

Children are happy and enjoy their time at the setting. Staff are polite, respectful, and provide hugs and reassurance to children when needed. Children form strong and trusting relationships with staff due to careful key-person allocations and staff modelling positive behaviour.

Unique historic buildingEYFS CurriculumWell-equipped outdoor spaces

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)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

Opening hours

8am until 6pm - all year round with the exception of bank holidays.

Age range

3 months to 5 years

Session types

Full time sessions, Part time sessions

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Butterfly Blue Day Nursery

Last inspected 21 August 2024

Safeguarding effective
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 are happy and enjoy their time at the setting. Staff are polite, respectful, and provide hugs and reassurance to children when needed. Children form strong and trusting relationships with staff due to careful key-person allocations and staff modelling positive behaviour.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders have a clear and ambitious vision and continually evaluate the provision to enhance the quality of care and education.
  • Children enjoy sharing stories with staff in cosy areas, singing songs, and are developing a love of stories, books, and rhymes.
  • Staff support children's emerging communication skills well by providing narratives and naming items during play.
  • Children are well supported in learning to be independent, engaging in self-chosen play indoors and outdoors, and performing self-care tasks at mealtimes.
  • There is a strong partnership with parents, who speak positively about their children's happiness and progress, and whose views are sought and acted upon.

Areas to develop

  • 1develop staff questioning techniques to provide children with opportunities to further develop their communication and language skills
  • 2strengthen the quality of staff interactions with children to help them challenge and extend children's learning more effectively as they play.
Inspection #10357227 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Effective procedures for tracking children's progress are in place. Gaps in children's development are recognised and acted on. Staff are effective in engaging with other professionals when needed. This helps to ensure that all children receive the support that they need so they can make the best possible progress in relation to their starting points.

Outdoor space

The environment is set up so that children can engage in self-chosen play, indoors and outdoors. The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

Parent Reviews of Butterfly Blue Day Nursery

3.9
(18)
Aaron Applebomb
a year ago

My son's been in this nursery since about 9 months he's 3 now. the staff are all so wonderful with him, he's always looking forward to going and they have helped so much with speech and toilet training, Most importantly I have peace of mind he's safe and looked after while in there care

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Jordan Pool
a year ago

Had to go on here and post something having seen some 1 star reviews from years ago bringing the score down. My son who has ASD has been at butterfly blue for the last few years and they honestly couldn’t have been more helpful with his development. Right the way up through the age groups each key person has made a positive impact. Special thanks to deputy manager Holly for being a superstar throughout.

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Lisa Louise Orriss
2 years ago

Took my son out after a number of issues. A member of staff making a comment he has ADHD because 'his always on one'. He has never been diagnosed by a doctor, because this isnt the case. I was told by a number of staff that another member was sacked due to carrying a vape on her in the infant room!!! Collected my son two days running to find him literally squashed into a coat that was aged 12 months, he is 3 years old. He couldnt even lift his arms in this coat, his coat was 'somewhere else coz the pegs had been moved about'. Picked him up other times to find his nappy hanging down to the back of his legs full of wee. Once the nappy was falling apart due to being so wet. I was assured by the manager the person in charge recieved a warning. I've been in touch with the area manager who has assured me she will be investigating, however has said she will call twice and nothing! I am beyond shocked and disgusted at the lack of care for my son. And even more so the fact nothing has been done in regards to getting back to me!

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Barbara Jay
6 years ago

I found this nursery to be a wonderful setting. The children were happy and the staff really welcoming. The manager, Marta was excellent in the show round so we will definitely use the nursery when the time comes.

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emily nicola
6 years ago

Such a shame. It could of been such a lovely nursery if it wasnt for the horrible, rude manager marta.the way she speaks to staff is outrageous.im not quite sure why she feels the need to talk to the young employees like they are inadequate.? Even now my daughter has left and is no longer an employee she is still receiving rude emails from marta and Lynne. Someone with no people Skills and who quite clearly doesnt like her job, should not be working with children. Any parents with children at this nursery, I would advise u to look elsewhere for childcare....

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Butterfly Blue Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: May 2013

  • August 2024Good
  • December 2022Good
  • June 2022Inadequate
  • May 2018Good
  • October 2016Outstanding
  • March 2014Outstanding
  • May 2013Good

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