Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm
Sandcastles Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Feb 2022)
Number of places
99 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Feb 2022
Local authority
Essex
About this day nursery
Sandcastles Nursery, located in Hadleigh, Benfleet, is a childcare setting for children aged 0 to 4 years, registered in 2000. It offers full-day care and operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, all year round.
The nursery prides itself on fostering an ambitious curriculum, ensuring children are well-prepared for their next stage of learning. There are 22 staff members, with 18 holding an early years qualification at level 3 or above.
Children at Sandcastles Nursery are encouraged to engage deeply in activities that interest them, particularly benefiting from extensive outdoor play opportunities. The setting promotes confident communication among older children and supports younger ones in developing their physical and social skills.
The team continuously evaluates and refines their child-centred approach to teaching and learning.
What it's like
Children become deeply involved in activities that interest them. They choose when they want to play in the extensive garden, benefitting those who prefer to learn outdoors. Older children are becoming confident communicators, eagerly speaking to visitors. Babies are beginning to engage in back-and-forth conversations, looking through books with an adult and making recognisable sounds.
Child-centred learningStrong communication skillsOutdoor play emphasisedAmbitious curriculumEffective safeguardingGood progress
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Key facts
Term time / All Year
All_year
Established
2000
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Sandcastles Nursery
Last inspected 18 February 2022
Overall effectiveness
Good
What it's like to attend
Children become deeply involved in activities that interest them. They choose when they want to play in the extensive garden, benefitting those who prefer to learn outdoors. Older children are becoming confident communicators, eagerly speaking to visitors. Babies are beginning to engage in back-and-forth conversations, looking through books with an adult and making recognisable sounds.
Inspector highlights
- Children are deeply involved in activities that interest them, with extensive garden access for outdoor learning.
- Older children build obstacle courses creatively and show great delight in challenging themselves with managed risks.
- Younger children develop physical skills indoors and outdoors, using trikes and climbing structures.
- Older children are becoming confident communicators, eager to speak to visitors about their nursery experiences.
- Babies engage in back-and-forth conversations, looking through books and making recognisable sounds.
- The owner and manager work closely to continually evaluate the setting, leading to a more child-centred approach to teaching and learning.
- Staff know their key children well, providing targeted support to close gaps in learning and development.
- Parents recognise their children have made progress, including eating better, manners, and communication skills.
Areas to develop
- 1Review how routines are managed so that staff consistently allow children to continue their play and learning uninterrupted.
- 2Support staff to recognise how they can build on their already good interactions to further encourage children's independence and self-help skills.
Inspection #10114694 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Strategies, such as visual timetables, support young children and those with specific learning needs to have a very good understanding of what is happening next, enhancing their emotional well-being. Thoughtful provision is made for children who are unable or reluctant to express themselves verbally, for example, by offering choosing cards with pictures for preferences.
Outdoor space
Children choose when they want to play in the extensive garden, benefiting those who prefer to learn outdoors. Older children creatively build an obstacle course with beams and crates. Younger children also have many opportunities to develop their physical skills indoors and outdoors, riding on trikes and navigating a wooden climbing structure.
Parent Reviews of Sandcastles Nursery
3.9
(8)
Lewis D
3 years ago
Extremely poor staff judgements and ability to care for all type of children, also data protection is only to look after staff and when a staff breaks it no repercussions are given.
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Matthew Noble
3 years ago
Wonderful people. Excellent administration and care for the children.
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Ellis Morley
9 years ago
Got asked to leave for making sandcastle
Read on Google
pupu gundu
4 years ago
Oskar Tymicz
2 years ago
Reviews from Google for Sandcastles Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: January 2011
- February 2022Good
- September 2013Outstanding
- January 2011Outstanding
Frequently asked about Sandcastles Nursery
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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