--- title: "(Closed) Diddydots Nursery — Rated Outstanding by Ofsted" description: "This nursery has closed. Diddydots Nursery in Southminster — Rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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See opening hours, fees, photos and contact details on Nursery Advice.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711#nursery" }, "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711#breadcrumb" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", "[data-speakable]" ] } }, { "@type": "ChildCare", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711#nursery", "name": "Diddydots Nursery", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressCountry": "GB", "streetAddress": "St Lawrence Village Hall", "addressLocality": "Jubille Field", "postalCode": "CM0 7LY" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711#webpage" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.diddydots-nursery.co.uk" ], "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 51.714843, "longitude": 0.827434 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Southminster" } ], "audience": { "@type": "PeopleAudience", "suggestedMinAge": 1, "suggestedMaxAge": 4 }, "award": "Ofsted: Outstanding" }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Nurseries", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "East of England", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?region=East%20of%20England" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Diddydots Nursery", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Diddydots Nursery offer holiday or half-term care?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The setting runs on a term-time basis, with published term dates and half-term breaks. Its usual session pattern follows Monday to Friday opening within the school term rather than year-round holiday cover." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where is Diddydots Nursery located?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Diddydots Nursery is in Southminster, CM0 7LY, at St Lawrence Village Hall. It is based in St Lawrence, Essex." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Diddydots Nursery Ofsted registered?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The current Ofsted overall grade is Outstanding, awarded on 09/02/2023." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which curriculum approach does Diddydots Nursery follow?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery follows the Curiosity Approach. Its website describes practice that changes with children’s interests, alongside communication-friendly and child-led provision." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What do parents say about Diddydots Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Parents speak very positively about the setting. They value the approachable staff, the strong development in children’s independence and confidence, and the progress in language skills." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Diddydots Nursery help children settle in?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children are supported by a key worker who tracks their progress and helps build secure relationships. The setting also works closely with parents so home information can shape each child’s care and learning." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is SEND supported at Diddydots Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children with SEND are supported through close work with outside agencies and a consistent, collaborative approach. Provision is adapted around each child, and the setting reports strong progress for children with additional needs." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the opening hours at Diddydots Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery is term-time only. It opens Monday and Thursday from 8am until 4pm, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am until 2pm." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [East of England](/search?region=East+of+England) 4. Diddydots Nursery # Diddydots Nursery Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Outstanding (Feb 2023) · St Lawrence Village Hall, Jubille Field, Southminster, CM0 7LY · Essex Number of places 26 places Age range 1–4 yrs Last inspected Feb 2023 Local authority Essex About - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## About this day nursery Diddydots Nursery, situated in St Lawrence, Essex, is a welcoming, single-room setting that focuses on providing exceptional care and education for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Embracing the 'Curiosity Approach', the nursery fosters a natural, home-like environment where children are encouraged to learn through exploration and play. As a 'pack away' setting, the room is continuously reconfigured to align with the children's evolving interests and needs. Diddydots Nursery prides itself on its strong partnerships with parents, viewing them as essential collaborators in their children's development and actively involving them in the nursery's services. The nursery is also committed to contributing positively to the local community, as evidenced by their sapling planting initiative with the Woodland Trust. They are dedicated to ensuring each child benefits from a safe and stimulating environment, receives individual attention, and has opportunities for social interaction. A key worker system is in place to monitor each child's progress, emphasising a parent-inclusive approach to early education. Our ethos Diddydots Nursery embraces the 'Curiosity Approach' to foster a natural, home-like environment that encourages learning through exploration and play. They prioritise strong parent partnerships, viewing them as collaborators in child development, and utilise a key worker system with a parent-inclusive approach to monitor progress. The nursery aims to provide a safe, stimulating, and individually attentive environment for every child. What it's like Children are welcomed into this truly inspiring, magical environment. Diddydots delivers a 'curiosity approach' curriculum as it is an accredited setting. Children lead their own learning through the wealth of invitations to learn, showing complete fascination in everything around them and using authentic resources to investigate. Curiosity Approach Home from home environment Term-time only Communication Friendly Setting Focus on parent partnership ## Pricing & funding Fees are charged at an hourly rate per child. Government funding is available for eligible children aged nine months, two, three, and four years old, including the 30-hour funding offer. Funding accepted 15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs) 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) 30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs) - Hourly fee £8.00 / hour Good to know - Government funding is available for eligible children aged 9 months, 2, 3 and 4 years old. - Offers 30-hour funding for eligible children. - Parents are advised to verify current times and prices upon registration. ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Diddydots Nursery Inspection date Feb 2023 Inspection no. 10264820 Safeguarding arrangements are effective [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50210657)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY484711) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed [ Visit website ](https://www.diddydots-nursery.co.uk) St Lawrence Village Hall, Jubille Field, Southminster, CM0 7LY [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/0.82743/51.71484/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Southminster - [Day nurseries in Southminster](/search?q=Southminster) - [Day nurseries in East of England](/search?q=East+of+England) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=diddydots-nursery-cm0-7ly-ey484711) ## Key facts Opening hours Mon-Fri / 8am-2pm Age range 6 months up to 5 years Term time / All Year Term Time Session types Term time only Ofsted Inspection ## Ofsted rating for Diddydots Nursery Last inspected 9 February 2023 Safeguarding effective Overall effectiveness Outstanding Quality of education Outstanding Behaviour and attitudes Outstanding Personal development Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding What it's like to attend Children are welcomed into this truly inspiring, magical environment. Diddydots delivers a 'curiosity approach' curriculum as it is an accredited setting. Children lead their own learning through the wealth of invitations to learn, showing complete fascination in everything around them and using authentic resources to investigate. Inspector highlights - Children have a strong sense of self and staff establish close bonds with all children. - Superb, professional relationships have been formed with parents who are encouraged to share information about their children's development at home. - Children have a wealth of opportunities to develop mathematical skills and use simple mathematics in their play. - The unique practice and delivery of the 'curiosity approach' to learning is worthy of dissemination. - The manager is truly inspirational, providing outstanding care and teaching quality, and fostering a motivated and committed team. Inspection #10264820 · Source: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50210657) ## What parents say Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection > "Parents speak extremely positively of all aspects of the nursery." > "They comment that the environment is amazing and many travel long distances to attend this setting." > "They are very complimentary about the staff, saying they are welcoming and approachable and talking about how well their children develop in the 'wonderful' environment." > "They discuss the children's independence and confidence since attending and say their children's language development is exceptional." Inclusion & environment ## How they support every child SEND provision Positive links with outside agencies involved in the care of the children are established to ensure a consistent collaborative approach. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are supported exceptionally well and make excellent progress. Outdoor space Children independently prepare for learning outdoors, dressing themselves competently in wellington boots and all-weather suits. They explore the wonders of nature in the exciting garden, building see-saws, digging for treasures, and checking the bug hotel. Inspection history Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2023 Date: June 2017 - February 2023 Outstanding - June 2017 Good ## Frequently asked about Diddydots Nursery ### Does Diddydots Nursery offer holiday or half-term care? ### Where is Diddydots Nursery located? ### Is Diddydots Nursery Ofsted registered? ### Which curriculum approach does Diddydots Nursery follow? ### What do parents say about Diddydots Nursery? ### How does Diddydots Nursery help children settle in? ### How is SEND supported at Diddydots Nursery? ### What are the opening hours at Diddydots Nursery? ## Nearby day nurseries in Southminster Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Diddydots Nursery. - [ Ofsted: Good 2.5 mi ### Tillingham Pre-School Tillingham · CM0 7TW ](/nursery/tillingham-pre-school-cm0-7tw-203701) - [ Ofsted: Good 3.6 mi ### Little Nipperz Chelmsford · CM3 6AD ](/nursery/little-nipperz-cm3-6ad-ey412973) - [ Ofsted: Good 3.7 mi ### Goldhanger Community Nursery Church Street, Goldhanger · CM9 8AS ](/nursery/goldhanger-community-nursery-cm9-8as-ey562776) - [ Ofsted: Good 3.8 mi ### Hillside Playcare Centre Southminster · CM0 7EH ](/nursery/hillside-playcare-centre-cm0-7eh-2631755) - [ Ofsted: Good 4.6 mi ### Second Steps Day Nursery (Althorne) Chelmsford · CM3 6YH 5.0(8 reviews) ](/nursery/second-steps-day-nursery-althorne-ltd-cm3-6yh-2689574) [See all nurseries in Southminster →](/search?q=Southminster) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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