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Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2025)
·King George Playing Field, Cage Lane, Colchester, CO4 5RE · Essex
Number of places
33 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Little Owls Preschool in Boxted operates during term times, offering a nurturing environment for young children. The preschool fosters a dynamic learning atmosphere where children engage in exciting activities such as observing life cycles, participating in science experiments, and exploring various cultures.

They recently achieved recognition as a Dedicated Maths Champion Provider and are committed to promoting early literacy through the "Making It Real" programme. The preschool encourages parental involvement, with opportunities for parents to visit the setting and discuss their child's progress.

Fundraising is an important aspect of the preschool, with active support from trustees and the community to enhance resources and experiences for the children. Little Owls also focuses on community helpers, with engaging visits from local services like the Colchester Fire and Rescue service.

The preschool is dedicated to supporting children through transitions, such as starting primary school, and offers support for children with special educational needs. They also accept various government funding schemes to make childcare accessible for families.

What it's like

Staff at Little Owls Preschool (Boxted) prioritise helping children feel a strong sense of belonging, safety, and happiness, fostering strong relationships and independence. Learning is sequenced, with tailored support, to develop skills such as cutting and pouring drinks, with staff gradually reducing physical assistance. Staff also model positive behaviours like "please" and "thank you," and provide rich opportunities for creativity, imaginative play, and exploration of the natural world.

Term-time onlyCharity-runDedicated Maths Champion ProviderFocus on early literacyCommunity engagement

Pricing & funding

Fees are invoiced on a termly basis with payments divided into three equal monthly instalments. No refunds are provided for sickness or holidays. A four-week written notice is required to reduce sessions or withdraw a child, and ad hoc sessions are charged at a higher rate.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare

Good to know

  • Invoiced termly with three equal payments due on the last day of each month.
  • No refunds are issued for sickness or holidays.
  • Ad hoc sessions are charged at a higher rate and must be paid on or before the session date.
  • Four weeks' written notice is required to reduce sessions or withdraw a child.
  • Sessions may be suspended if invoices remain unpaid after 28 days.

Key facts

Session types

early bird session (8:45 AM - 9:15 AM), morning core session (9:15 AM - 12:15 PM), lunch time (11:45 AM - 12:45 PM), afternoon session (12:15 PM - 3:15 PM)

Opening hours

8:45 AM - 3:15 PM, term time only

Age range

2 years to 4 years

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)

Last inspected 26 September 2025 · Becky Brame

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

Staff at Little Owls Preschool (Boxted) prioritise helping children feel a strong sense of belonging, safety, and happiness, fostering strong relationships and independence. Learning is sequenced, with tailored support, to develop skills such as cutting and pouring drinks, with staff gradually reducing physical assistance. Staff also model positive behaviours like "please" and "thank you," and provide rich opportunities for creativity, imaginative play, and exploration of the natural world.

Inspector highlights

  • The management team and staff provide high-quality learning and teaching to children in their care and feel well-supported.
  • Staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of the children in their care, providing additional emotional support when needed.
  • The pre-school aims to equip children for their next stage in learning by offering experiences like those of a school-based provision.
  • Relationships among children, parents and staff reflect a positive and respectful culture, ensuring parents are kept fully informed.
  • Using observations, communication with parents and linking with other agencies, staff provide tailored and supportive care for children with SEND.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to adapt adult-led activities, such as circle time, more precisely to suit children's individual learning needs, ensuring that all children can participate meaningfully and make the best possible progress.
Inspection #10399631 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak about the setting with warmth and overwhelming positivity, outlining their children feel happy and safe and have an extremely positive learning experience.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff provide tailored and supportive care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) using observations, communication with parents, and linking with other agencies. This helps to ensure all children can access the curriculum to the best of their ability. This helps to promote strong continuity of care for children especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Outdoor space

Staff organise the learning environment to create opportunities for children to access the outdoor learning space as they choose. This means that children explore the natural world and tackle more physically challenging tasks, such as climbing and balancing. While playing outside, children are supported to count collected conkers and compare their sizes, incorporating mathematical tasks into activities.

Inspection history

Date: May 2010

  • September 2025Good
  • December 2019Good
  • February 2016Good
  • May 2010Good

Frequently asked about Little Owls Preschool (Boxted)

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