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Childsplay Day Nursery in Colchester

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2023)
·
5.0(10 parent reviews) ·Clarendon Way, COLCHESTER, CO1 1XF · Essex
Number of places
70 places
Age range
0–3 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2023
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Childsplay Day Nursery in Colchester provides a warm, safe, and stimulating environment for children ranging from one month to five years old, preparing them confidently for school. The nursery prides itself on its dedicated, fully qualified staff and its commitment to the Early Years Foundation Stage Education, even accommodating children whose first language is not English.

They offer excellent rates and accept various government funding schemes for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds. Security is a priority, evidenced by a fingerprint door entry system.

The nursery boasts a variety of outdoor spaces, including a woodland garden, a vegetable garden, and a general outside play area, alongside promoting sensory play and holistic activities. Children benefit from a healthy, homemade menu, which has received a 5-star hygiene rating.

Childsplay Day Nursery operates year-round, closing only on Bank Holidays, and provides ample childcare spaces for the Colchester community.

Our ethos

Childsplay Day Nursery is committed to the Early Years Foundation Stage Education, preparing children aged one month to five years for school. They focus on providing a safe, stimulating, and holistic environment, incorporating outdoor play, sensory activities, and a healthy menu. The nursery emphasises qualified staff and inclusivity for children with English as a second language.

What it's like

Children learn well and benefit from a broad curriculum that captures their interest. They develop the skills and knowledge needed to progress confidently and benefit from many different outings and real-life experiences, such as trips to the local supermarket. Staff set a positive example, fostering good behaviour and emotional development, ensuring children feel safe and secure.

Safe and caring environmentGovernment funding availableHealthy homemade menuExtensive outdoor spacesEarly Years Foundation Stage Education

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

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.

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Key facts

Food

Healthy homemade menu with 5 star hygiene rating

Opening hours

Mon - Fri: 7am-6pm

Age range

1 month to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

1999

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Childsplay Day Nursery

Last inspected 13 September 2023 · Sarah Clements

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children learn well and benefit from a broad curriculum that captures their interest. They develop the skills and knowledge needed to progress confidently and benefit from many different outings and real-life experiences, such as trips to the local supermarket. Staff set a positive example, fostering good behaviour and emotional development, ensuring children feel safe and secure.

Inspector highlights

  • Staff engage children in conversation, using open-ended questions and tools like translation pens to extend vocabulary for all children, including those who speak EAL.
  • Children are regularly encouraged to manage tasks independently, fostering responsibility and self-motivation.
  • Staff use successful strategies to involve parents in their children's care and learning, with parents embracing the nursery's lending library.
  • The nursery is extremely inclusive, celebrating children's home languages and cultures through meaningful activities that foster knowledge of similarities and differences.
  • Managers and staff effectively support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) by increasing staff ratios, creating quieter spaces, purchasing new resources, and contacting external agencies for support.

Areas to develop

  • 1review the curriculum for early mathematics to build on what children already know and can do and further enhance their mathematical knowledge.
Inspection #10300731 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Managers and staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). For example, they increase staff ratios, create quieter spaces for learning and purchase new resources to meet children's individual needs. Managers are proactive in contacting external agencies to access further support and additional funding. This helps to ensure that children with SEND make good progress from their starting points.

Outdoor space

Children learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, for example, by growing fresh vegetables in the nursery garden. Some staff use their training in the forest school approach to widen the curriculum for children's physical development.

EAL / language support

Children, including children who speak English as an additional language (EAL), build an extremely positive view of their own uniqueness and that of others. Staff make use of tools, such as a translation pen, to help model the many different languages spoken by the children. This helps all children, including children who speak EAL, to extend their vocabulary and become confident communicators.

Parent Reviews of Childsplay Day Nursery

5.0
(10)
Rebecca Coomber
12 months ago

We were hesitant to let our daughter start nursery at 9 months old, we needed to commute for work so Childsplay seemed like the best option for us and my god it has been! The girls are incredibly attentive, they’re so kind, caring, willing to answer every single one of my worried mum questions. My worries were not there for long! She’s almost 1 now and has settled in perfectly and honestly has such an amazing time whenever she goes. This is such a truly wonderful nursery, with the playground and garden letting her explore and work on her skills to no limit. I could not recommend anywhere more when picking between nurseries, it is truly testament to how amazing the wonderful staff are and how well they treat the kids.

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Charmaine Camp
7 years ago

Absolutely amazing nursery, my little boy loves it there! The staff are professional and friendly... any troubles or worries I’ve had they’ve dealt with straight away. Couldn’t be any happier

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Rosie Tremain
7 years ago

My 3yr old attends this nursery. She loves it. The staff are great, really friendly and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend

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Carlykelvin James
7 years ago

my son has been going here nearly two years and he really enjoys going, the staff are all lovely and friendly and easy to talk to, the best feeling is going to work and knowing his happy 😊 would highly recommend

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Chris Wale
7 years ago

My child goes to this nursery, and is really happy here.The staff are really lovely helpful, and I would highly recommend it. 🙂

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Reviews from Google for Childsplay Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: August 2013

  • September 2023Good
  • June 2018Good
  • July 2017Good
  • August 2013Good

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