Opening hours
Monday to Friday, all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.
Munchkins Nursery and Pre School in Wivenhoe, Colchester
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Nov 2023)
Number of places
44 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2023
Local authority
Essex
About this day nursery
Munchkins Nursery and Pre School in Wivenhoe, Colchester, offers an "Outstanding" Ofsted-rated childcare experience for children aged 12 weeks to 4 years. Nestled within King George V Playing Field, the nursery benefits from its woodland surroundings, providing daily Forest School adventures.
The interior is designed with natural resources and calming woodland colours, fostering a sense of connection to nature. The nursery is structured into age-appropriate rooms: "The Cabin" for babies, "Acorns" for toddlers, and "Oak Trees" for preschoolers.
Each room has direct access to dedicated garden areas with bespoke wooden equipment, encouraging physical play and imaginative development. The "Cabin" introduces Makaton signing to aid preverbal communication, while "Acorns" focuses on building independence and social skills through self-care and shared meal times.
"Oak Trees" provides bespoke areas for various activities and a "Ready, Steady, School" programme designed by an experienced teacher to prepare preschoolers for Reception. A unique yurt in the garden serves as a versatile space for all children, adaptable to the changing seasons with a log burner for winter warmth and a cool retreat in summer.
The nursery emphasises child-led learning, fostering confidence and friendships through outdoor exploration and a supportive team.
Our ethos
Our unique nursery is filled with natural resources, calm woodland colours and an incredible Outstanding team! The huge outdoor space is home to beautiful, leafy trees connecting our children continually to nature, wildlife and the seasons and a perfect environment to provide our Munchkins with the opportunity to experience hands-on Forest school experiences.
What it's like
Children thrive in this setting and are highly motivated to join in with the stimulating, hands-on experiences. They are cared for by committed and dedicated practitioners who hold high expectations for children's learning. They provide exciting and enticing learning experiences for children to freely explore and investigate, both inside and outdoors.
Forest SchoolOutstanding Ofsted ratingNatural resources and woodland themeAge-specific rooms with outdoor access
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
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
Age range
12 weeks – 4 years old
Term time / All Year
All Year
Waitlist
Waiting list available
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Munchkins Nursery and Pre School
Last inspected 28 November 2023
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children thrive in this setting and are highly motivated to join in with the stimulating, hands-on experiences. They are cared for by committed and dedicated practitioners who hold high expectations for children's learning. They provide exciting and enticing learning experiences for children to freely explore and investigate, both inside and outdoors.
Inspector highlights
- The passion and commitment of leaders influences all aspects of the setting.
- Practitioners skilfully monitor children's learning and rapidly identify children who need additional support.
- Practitioners place great value on encouraging children's communication and language, making effective use of sign language.
- Children are supremely self-sufficient and adept at doing things for themselves, even the youngest children competently serve their food at mealtimes and peel their own fruit.
- Partnership working with parents is exceptional with clear lines of communication and regular meetings.
Inspection #10313314 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Practitioners work closely with parents and other agencies to make sure that all children make excellent progress in their learning and development, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Practitioners rapidly identify children who need additional support and work closely with outside agencies to implement shared strategies. Leaders use additional funding to target specific areas of development for children and reduce any differences in their learning.
Outdoor space
Practitioners provide exciting and enticing learning experiences for children to freely explore and investigate, both inside and outdoors. For example, children spend an extended period acting out a story in the garden together. Older children successfully assess risks when climbing trees and when standing on crates.
Parent Reviews of Munchkins Nursery and Pre School
5.0
(62)
Felicity
3 months ago
My daughter started at Munchkins Nursery in the toddler room last September and she settled in so quickly. The staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and her key worker is truly wonderful. They have created such a safe and nurturing environment where the children can thrive. The team consistently goes above and beyond to support each child’s development in a way that feels both thoughtful and personal. I am so pleased I chose Munchkins. Management are responsive, supportive and genuinely engaged. Nothing ever feels like too much trouble. There are also such thoughtful touches throughout the year, from meeting Santa at Christmas to the lovely little artworks that come home. Knowing she is so happy and well cared for gives me real peace of mind as a working single parent, which is priceless. It really feels like a community, not just a nursery.
Read on Google
Tania Santos
3 months ago
We, as parents, are extremely happy and grateful for this nursery. The staff are absolutely amazing — they do such a wonderful job educating and supporting the children’s learning. They always promote outdoor activities and singing, and they were especially caring and comforting when our little one was distressed. The food provided is excellent, with lots of fruit offered at breakfast, lunch, and in the evening, which our child absolutely loves. They also don’t close during half term, which for us is a real lifesaver. We truly appreciate how well our child is looked after and feel so thankful to have such amazing people caring for her. A big thank you to the whole team! ❤️
Read on Google
Jodie Simmons
5 months ago
Our son started Munchkins in February 2025 at just 10 months old. As first time parents we were very nervous about sending him to nursery but almost a year on and it is the best decision we could have ever made for him! He absolutely loves nursery!!! The ladies that care for him are amazing and we can tell from the way he interacts with them that he just loves them and they love him too! He gets up to so many exciting things at nursery and he is always excited to go in and always smiling when he comes out! We receive regular updates, including photos, of what our son has been up to and he always looks like he is having the best time! Videos we have received have shown him doing some of the biggest belly laughs we have ever heard from him! Highly recommend Munchkins!
Read on Google
Daniella Harris
4 months ago
Our son absolutely thrives at this nursery! All the staff are so friendly and supportive. They are very good at communicating with us parents and children. His speech has developed so well in the past few months and he has also learnt some makaton along the way. We love receiving the pictures and video updates each week from his key worker Carmina :)
Read on Google
Natalie O'Neill
7 months ago
My little boy started here last month and already the change in him is incredible! He is talking so much more in full sentences and is getting a lot better at listening and understanding and his imagination has developedso beautifully. He made such an instant connection to his key worker and she really took the time to get to know him which as a nervous mum meant so much to me! I can't wait to see how he continues to grow attending Munchkins, really is the best place we could have sent him 🥰
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Munchkins Nursery and Pre School. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2023
Date: January 2011
- November 2023Outstanding
- December 2018Good
- November 2015Outstanding
- January 2011Outstanding
Frequently asked about Munchkins Nursery and Pre School
About the setting
Munchkins Nursery and Pre School registered in 2003 and is located in Wivenhoe, Colchester. The nursery employs 15 members of childcare staff, with 10 holding appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 or above. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, with sessions from 7.30am until 6pm, and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.
- URN
- EY222657
- Registered person
- First Steps Montessori Limited
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
Nearby day nurseries in Wivenhoe, Colchester
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Munchkins Nursery and Pre School.
-
1.4 miOfsted: Good
Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery
Colchester · CO4 3SQ
4.8(58 reviews) -
2.2 miOfsted: Good
Woodland Barn Day Nursery
Colchester · CO1 2EX
-
2.2 miOfsted: Good
The Beeches Pre-School Annexe
Colchester · CO4 3XG
-
2.2 miOfsted: Good
Kiddi Caru Nursery
Colchester · CO2 8JB
3.9(15 reviews) -
2.5 miOfsted: Good
The Beeches Pre-school
Colchester · CO4 3AQ
4.8(6 reviews) -
2.5 miOfsted: Good
Colchester Montessori Day Nursery
Colchester · CO2 8WJ
5.0(5 reviews)
Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.
Claim listingShare this nursery
Send to a partner, friend or family member.
This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more