Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9am until 3.30pm, except for Mondays when the nursery closes at 1pm
Plume Avenue Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2025)
Number of places
60 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2025
Local authority
Essex
About this day nursery
Plume Avenue Nursery is dedicated to fostering a secure and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. The nursery champions diversity, offering equal opportunities and actively working against discrimination.
Their approach focuses on creating a positive atmosphere that values contributions from all families and provides non-stereotypical information about gender roles, diverse cultural groups, and individuals with disabilities. The nursery continuously strives to enhance its understanding of anti-discriminatory practices, promoting equality and valuing diversity as central to all its activities.
They also ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities, aiming for full inclusivity in their services and curriculum. The team at Plume Avenue Nursery prioritises the health and safety of children, parents, and staff, implementing comprehensive policies and procedures.
These include diligent health and safety training for all practitioners, ensuring a secure environment through strict supervision, controlled access, and regular checks of premises and equipment. Food and hygiene practices are also carefully managed to ensure the well-being of all children.
Our ethos
Our setting is committed to valuing diversity by providing equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for all children and families.
What it's like
Children are happy and enjoy their time in the setting. Staff are polite and respectful to children and are good role models. They are attentive to the needs of the children and have high expectations for children's behaviour. As a result, children behave well and make progress from their starting points.
Focus on diversity and inclusionHealthy and safe environmentGovernment funding accepted
Pricing & funding
Fees are charged either at an hourly rate or per session, with options for morning, extended morning, afternoon, and full-day bookings. Charges are billed for sessions booked rather than attendance, and parents must provide a packed lunch.
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
- Charges are made for sessions booked, not sessions attended.
- Children must bring their own packed lunch for all sessions.
Key facts
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Established
1971
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Plume Avenue Nursery
Last inspected 18 March 2025 · Lyndsey Barwick
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 are happy and enjoy their time in the setting. Staff are polite and respectful to children and are good role models. They are attentive to the needs of the children and have high expectations for children's behaviour. As a result, children behave well and make progress from their starting points.
Inspector highlights
- Since the last inspection, the provider has embraced support from the local authority and worked hard to implement required changes.
- Staff have been supported through ongoing training and staff meetings, leading to a motivated team that reflects on their service.
- An ambitious curriculum has been implemented for all children, with staff knowing children well and devising appropriate next steps.
- Children spend extended periods engaging in activities and lead their play, with staff interactions promoting their next steps in learning.
- The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with an open and positive culture that puts children's interests first.
Areas to develop
- 1continue to develop the quality of staff interactions with children to help them challenge and extend children's learning even further
- 2strengthen the arrangements to share information with parents about their child's next steps in learning.
Inspection #10242887 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
"children are happy and settled and that their individual needs are met."
"children are making progress in their development."
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff spoke to the inspector about how they support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Outdoor space
Staff provide activities that develop children's physical skills. They build their large motor skills by encouraging them to play ball games and teaching them how to roll large hoops.
Parent Reviews of Plume Avenue Nursery
4.5
(8)
Diary life with Frederica Saumaki
10 months ago
The staffs that work at Plume Avenue Nursery are the best !! My son is always excited to go to his nursery , my son is on a spectrum (Autistic) & he has learnt a lot & I can see changes when he comes home. They’re very supportive & very Caring with looking after kids with Autism , best Nursery in Colchester !!! #myopinion
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vicki gillanders
3 years ago
5 of my children have been through Plume Avenue Nursery over the past 20 odd years and now my granddaughter attends there too. We have always had good experiences and Jean and her staff have always been friendly, caring and professional and made my children feel safe and welcomed. A relaxed setting where learning through play is first and foremost. I would highly recommend Plume Avenue Nursery 5*
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Lillie Ablitt
10 months ago
An outstanding nursary , so happy my girls went here , the staff are amazing , build a great relationship with the parents and the children also , My opinion is this is the best nursery in Colchester Amazing work keep it up Lillie & Ben
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Emmett Griffin
3 years ago
These people just do not care - worst place ever! Why they ever thought they might be cut out for childcare ? They should find another calling and you really should consider finding another nursery
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Nicolae Movile
4 years ago
Reviews from Google for Plume Avenue Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2025
Date: July 2010
- March 2025Good
- May 2024Requires improvement
- January 2024Inadequate
- June 2018Good
- October 2017Good
- January 2015Good
- February 2014Requires improvement
- July 2010Good
Frequently asked about Plume Avenue Nursery
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