Opening hours
7.45am until 6pm, Monday to Friday
Early Education Centre in Walthamstow (E17 7DT)
Ofsted: Good
(Aug 2022)
Number of places
60 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2022
Local authority
Waltham Forest
About this day nursery
Early Education Centre & Early Buds Nurseries, based in Walthamstow, offers a nurturing environment where children from 6 months to 5 years are encouraged to thrive. The nursery group is dedicated to fostering curiosity, confidence, and individuality, viewing each child as a unique individual with immense potential.
They aim to cultivate bright futures by providing care, creative learning opportunities, and incorporating elements of nature into their approach. Emphasising kindness and inspiring growth daily, Early Education Centre focuses on planting the seeds for joy, wonder, and a lifelong love of discovery.
With four distinct settings, including Bramley Close for 2-5 year olds and Queens Road, Northcote Road, and Verulam Avenue for children aged 6 months to 5 years, they cater to various needs with full-day and shorter-term options. The nurseries are committed to making a significant difference in the lives of young children in Walthamstow and beyond, ensuring a supportive and engaging start to their educational journey.
Our ethos
In our nurseries we see every child as a tiny seed bursting with potential, ready to grow and thrive. Here, curiosity blooms, confidence sprouts, and individuality shines bright. With care, creativity, and a sprinkle of nature’s magic, we help little minds flourish and kind hearts grow—planting the seeds for joy, wonder, and lifelong discovery.
What it's like
Children arrive at the setting happy and confident, receiving a warm welcome from staff who are sensitive to their needs. Leaders and managers plan a high-quality curriculum with high expectations, and independence and self-confidence are promoted through encouraging children to look after belongings and make choices.
Nurturing environmentFocus on individuality and potentialCare and creative learningIncorporates naturePrepares for lifelong discovery
Pricing & funding
This nursery offers monthly fees for funded and non-funded children, as well as morning, afternoon, and full-day sessions grouped by age. Fees include nappies, wipes, extra-curricular activities, and standard meals. Funded sessions have optional meal purchase choices.
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)
Good to know
- Deposits range from £450 to £650.
- All fees are inclusive of nappies, wipes, and extra-curricular activities.
- Standard monthly fees include all meals.
- Parents of children on funding-only sessions can optionally purchase meals.
- These fees are applicable from September 2025.
Key facts
Age range
6 months to 5 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Early Education Centre
Last inspected 17 August 2022
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 arrive at the setting happy and confident, receiving a warm welcome from staff who are sensitive to their needs. Leaders and managers plan a high-quality curriculum with high expectations, and independence and self-confidence are promoted through encouraging children to look after belongings and make choices.
Inspector highlights
- Children arrive at the setting happy and confident and settle very well.
- Leaders and managers plan a high-quality curriculum that is accessible to all children.
- Children's independence skills and self-confidence are promoted.
- Staff use a colour system across the setting to help children express their emotions.
- Relationships between children and staff are respectful.
Areas to develop
- 1improve staff monitoring so that all staff retain a secure understanding of all the agreed procedures shared during their induction
- 2develop further staff communication during transitions for children so that all staff consistently implement the curriculum and to ensure all children are supported to learn as much as they can.
Inspection #10249050 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents say that they feel very well supported by the manager and staff.
They are impressed with the support offered to families settling children after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parents are pleased that their children are ready for the next stage of their learning and comment on their children being 'ready for school'.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
Outdoor space
When waking from sleep, the children are free to decide whether they explore activities inside or go to the garden, which is supervised well by staff. The inspector observed the quality of education provided at the setting in all the rooms and outdoors.
Parent Reviews of Early Education Centre
4.7
(14)
Ellie Graham
2 years ago
Absolutely love this nursery, very lucky to have our son there. Exceptional staff and management team, and brilliant facilities inside and out. The garden is such a lovely and thought-out space for the kids to explore and play, but is kept nicely private from the street by a big hedge.
Read on Google
IBB London
2 years ago
My two children have been going to ECC on Northcote Road since it opened three years ago, and they are now on their last week before they head off to school in September. I have nothing but positive words to write about the care and love that has gone into supporting them for all these years. Every day they are doing fun things that they come home excited talking about. If that’s arts and crafts, singing and dancing, science experiments, going on trips to the library, playing with the parachute in the garden, looking for snails... The list can really go on. I couldn’t ask for much more as a parent, knowing my kids are happy and occupied with fun activities. The setting is beautiful. The inside is light and full of lovely wooden toys with different areas for play; it’s actually been built pretty brilliantly as there are two floors, but the integrity of the original structure has not been interfered with. The outside space is divided into two parts: the side is a smaller space with a soft play floor that is used for activities that are set up and changed daily. The main garden has a full-sized tepee with turf on one part and grass on the other for the kids to get dirty and generally have a good time just being kids. The nursery has helped my children through many phases of their growth and has supported these stages with patience and care. Staff are personable and attentive, and my girls care a lot for them. Thanks so much for all you have done.
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Elliot Ryan
2 years ago
My children have gone to various nurseries and this is the best nursery in the area by far. The staff are incredible, the facilities amazing. The one star review about levels of noise is ridiculous. Walthamstow is full of schools and nurseries and the sound of children playing is a joyous one. A 10/10 nursery.
Read on Google
Chris Till
2 years ago
This is a wonderful nursery. What drew us to it first was the amazing outside play area - so wonderful to see happy kids playing happily at the centre of their community. But beyond that we've since discovered wonderful staff and great standards of care.
Read on Google
Sally C
2 years ago
Excellent nursery, staff are kind and caring and go above and beyond. Lovely and well thought out indoor and outdoor spaces and activities that are really enjoyed by the children.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Early Education Centre. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Most recent inspection
17 August 2022
Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.
View full Ofsted reportFrequently asked about Early Education Centre
About the setting
Early Education Centre registered in April 2020. The setting is open from 7.45am until 6pm, Monday to Friday, and operates all year round. The setting receives funding to provide education for children aged 3 and above. The setting employs 13 members of staff, 11 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above.
- URN
- 2590923
- Registered person
- Early Education Centre Ltd
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
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