--- title: "Sandcastles Nursery — Rated Good by Ofsted | Nursery Advice" description: "Sandcastles Nursery in Benfleet — Rated Good by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice.", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/#website" }, "about": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sandcastles-nursery-ss7-2ql-403985#nursery" }, "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sandcastles-nursery-ss7-2ql-403985#breadcrumb" }, "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [ "h1", "[data-speakable]" ] } }, { "@type": "ChildCare", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sandcastles-nursery-ss7-2ql-403985#nursery", "name": "Sandcastles Nursery", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sandcastles-nursery-ss7-2ql-403985", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "addressCountry": "GB", "streetAddress": "81 London Road", "addressLocality": "Hadleigh", "postalCode": "SS7 2QL" }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sandcastles-nursery-ss7-2ql-403985#webpage" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 51.55597, "longitude": 0.602639 }, "areaServed": [ { "@type": "City", "name": "Benfleet" } ], "audience": { "@type": "PeopleAudience", "suggestedMinAge": 0, "suggestedMaxAge": 4 }, "award": "Ofsted: Good", "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": 3.9, "reviewCount": 8, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 1, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lewis D" }, "reviewBody": "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.", "datePublished": "2023-03-17T15:27:29.060504Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Matthew Noble" }, "reviewBody": "Wonderful people. Excellent administration and care for the children.", "datePublished": "2022-10-14T07:20:48.415693Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 1, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ellis Morley" }, "reviewBody": "Got asked to leave for making sandcastle", "datePublished": "2017-03-06T16:40:33.614Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "pupu gundu" }, "datePublished": "2021-08-26T07:27:06.465198Z", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": 5, "bestRating": 5, "worstRating": 1 }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Oskar Tymicz" }, "datePublished": "2023-09-25T15:03:01.779317Z", "inLanguage": "en" } ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sandcastles-nursery-ss7-2ql-403985#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Nurseries", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nurseries" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "East of England", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?region=East%20of%20England" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Sandcastles Nursery", "item": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sandcastles-nursery-ss7-2ql-403985" } ] }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/nursery/sandcastles-nursery-ss7-2ql-403985#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Sandcastles Nursery a day nursery or preschool?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Sandcastles Nursery is a childcare on non-domestic premises and provides full day care. It offers care for children from birth to age four, which places it in the day nursery category rather than a preschool-only setting." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which funded childcare hours does Sandcastles Nursery accept?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery accepts the 15-hour entitlement for disadvantaged two-year-olds, the universal 15-hour offer for three- and four-year-olds, and the 30-hour funding for eligible working parents of three- and four-year-olds." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What stands out about Sandcastles Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children spend time in activities that hold their attention and use a large garden for outdoor learning. Older children show confidence as communicators and take on creative obstacle courses, while babies join back-and-forth exchanges, look at books and make recognisable sounds." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the Ofsted rating of Sandcastles Nursery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The current Ofsted overall grade is Good, following the inspection on 18/02/2022." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Sandcastles Nursery support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staff use visual timetables to help children, including those with specific learning needs, understand what comes next and feel settled. Picture choice cards support children who are reluctant to speak, and key adults use these tools to adapt communication and daily routines to individual needs." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is Sandcastles Nursery open?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The nursery is open from Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm. It operates all year round rather than only during term time." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [East of England](/search?region=East+of+England) 4. Sandcastles Nursery # Sandcastles Nursery Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Good (Feb 2022) · 3.9 (8 parent reviews) · 81 London Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet, SS7 2QL · Essex Number of places 99 places Age range 0–4 yrs Last inspected Feb 2022 Local authority Essex About - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - Reviews - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [Reviews](#reviews) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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 learning Strong communication skills Outdoor play emphasised Ambitious curriculum Effective safeguarding Good progress ## Pricing & funding Funding accepted 15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds 15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs) 30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs) ## Key facts Opening hours Monday to Friday from 7.30am until 6pm 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 - 1 Review how routines are managed so that staff consistently allow children to continue their play and learning uninterrupted. - 2 Support 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: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50182704) ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Sandcastles Nursery Inspection date Feb 2022 Inspection no. 10114694 [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50182704)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/403985) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Phone not yet listed 81 London Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet, SS7 2QL [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/0.60264/51.55597/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near Benfleet - [Day nurseries in Benfleet](/search?q=Benfleet) - [Day nurseries in East of England](/search?q=East+of+England) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=sandcastles-nursery-ss7-2ql-403985) 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) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocKVnK1NmQ_2vS6Qq89dac_eZ96ZDUQEwbh_MlPsW3Bhj940jQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo) 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. [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURoaTZUNWp3RRAB!2m1!1s0x47d8db1d54900101:0x218d415f0283cc24) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjXHd1cfwMewBqo6NMmv2ALi6twRZgvkG1rnUfaqoyqjaT0wrmM=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba2) Matthew Noble 3 years ago Wonderful people. Excellent administration and care for the children. [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURlMllLT21BRRAB!2m1!1s0x47d8db1d54900101:0x218d415f0283cc24) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocID9eftSiCLE7aUAR8longmip3c_yoyPzGx-3S9yoqIU27hwQ=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo-ba3) Ellis Morley 9 years ago Got asked to leave for making sandcastle [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURRX05XTm5nRRAB!2m1!1s0x47d8db1d54900101:0x218d415f0283cc24) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a-/ALV-UjWnRGgMZqcpLX0H0Oe9u43R5OaI-o97urEQd9RXNIPie106rPY=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo) pupu gundu 4 years ago [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURhNzhXVGRnEAE!2m1!1s0x47d8db1d54900101:0x218d415f0283cc24) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/ACg8ocLrg9NNRJqIQID4yI8Yh0iwt80x8craFHB_f9_RIHOeN3sZcA=s128-c0x00000000-cc-rp-mo) Oskar Tymicz 2 years ago [Read on Google](https://www.google.com/maps/reviews/data=!4m6!14m5!1m4!2m3!1sChdDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSURaOVBhZnBRRRAB!2m1!1s0x47d8db1d54900101:0x218d415f0283cc24) Reviews from Google for Sandcastles Nursery. [See all on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=2417660451287714852&g_mp=CiVnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLkdldFBsYWNlEAIYBCAA) Inspection history Date: January 2011 - February 2022 Good - September 2013 Outstanding - January 2011 Outstanding ## Frequently asked about Sandcastles Nursery ### Is Sandcastles Nursery a day nursery or preschool? ### Which funded childcare hours does Sandcastles Nursery accept? ### What stands out about Sandcastles Nursery? ### What is the Ofsted rating of Sandcastles Nursery? ### How does Sandcastles Nursery support children with SEND? ### When is Sandcastles Nursery open? ## Nearby day nurseries in Benfleet Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Sandcastles Nursery. - [ Ofsted: Outstanding 0.2 mi ### Little Wild Tribe Education Hadleigh, Essex · SS7 2PP ](/nursery/little-wild-tribe-education-ss7-2pp-2501661) - [ Awaiting first inspection 0.6 mi ### Purple Lion Day Nursery Hadleigh Hadleigh · SS7 2DD ](/nursery/purple-lion-day-nursery-hadleigh-ss7-2dd-2866245) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.8 mi ### Le Prairie Childcare Essex · SS7 2EJ ](/nursery/le-prairie-childcare-ss7-2ej-2628787) - [ Ofsted: Good 0.9 mi ### Runnymede Pre-School Benfleet · SS7 1TF ](/nursery/runnymede-pre-school-ss7-1tf-203722) - [ Ofsted: Outstanding 0.9 mi ### The Enchanted Wood Day Nursery Benfleet · SS7 2TD ](/nursery/the-enchanted-wood-day-nursery-ss7-2td-ey438270) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.0 mi ### Georgie Porgie Benfleet · SS7 2EE ](/nursery/georgie-porgie-ss7-2ee-ey292583) [See all nurseries in Benfleet →](/search?q=Benfleet) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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