Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 6pm, except for bank holidays and one week in December.
The Enchanted Wood Day Nursery
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Aug 2025)
Number of places
60 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Aug 2025
Local authority
Essex
About this day nursery
The Enchanted Wood Day Nursery, located within the 19-acre woodland grounds of The Deanes Academy site, provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged three months and older. The nursery prides itself on fostering confident, independent, and creative children within its light, airy, and spacious purpose-built facility.
An Ofsted report in August 2025 rated the nursery as "Outstanding" in all areas, commending the setting for making children feel "at home" and highlighting the expertise of its leaders and staff. The nursery emphasises the crucial impact of early childhood experiences on a child's future, ensuring each child feels safe, secure, and happy while in their care.
They regularly share updates and insights into nursery life via their Instagram, providing families with a glimpse of the daily activities and learning opportunities available. The nursery also engages with the wider community, as evidenced by a special visit from a local care home to watch the pre-school children's nativity performance.
What it's like
Children flourish at this unique and welcoming setting, which provides them with amazing and exciting learning opportunities in a stimulating environment. Children display high levels of energy and confidence, making their own informed decisions about their activities. Staff and leaders have very high expectations, and their well-sequenced curriculum helps all children make excellent progress and become independent learners.
Pricing & funding
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Age range
3 months+
Term time / All Year
All Year
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for The Enchanted Wood Day Nursery
Last inspected 7 August 2025 · Anca Sandu
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children flourish at this unique and welcoming setting, which provides them with amazing and exciting learning opportunities in a stimulating environment. Children display high levels of energy and confidence, making their own informed decisions about their activities. Staff and leaders have very high expectations, and their well-sequenced curriculum helps all children make excellent progress and become independent learners.
Inspector highlights
- Staff and leaders are skilled and experienced, gathering a wealth of information about children before they start to plan for individual needs.
- Staff are highly responsive to children's interests, using interactions to enhance experiences and develop knowledge.
- Staff and leaders are extremely creative, finding ingenious ways to stimulate children's thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Staff provide children with rich language learning opportunities, introducing new words and encouraging discussion.
- Leaders are inspirational and ambitious, creating a positive culture and valuing staff well-being and professional development.
Inspection #10398532 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents praise how well the staff know their children and the amazing learning opportunities provided to meet their individual needs.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Staff and leaders track children's progress diligently. Effective and personalised strategies are then introduced to narrow any identified gaps in children's learning. Staff and leaders also seek advice and support from other professionals when required. This ensures that all children, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make remarkable progress from their starting points.
Outdoor space
The inspector observed the quality of teaching and education, outdoors and indoors, and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.
Parent Reviews of The Enchanted Wood Day Nursery
5.0
(3)
Matthew Marlow
a year ago
Our toddler has been going here for around a year and we have nothing but praise for the staff and facilities. The level of care is exceptional. I would be genuinely surprised if there was a better nursery in Essex or further beyond.
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Debbie Monk
2 years ago
My daughter started The Enchanted Wood at age 1 and attended until she was almost 5 years old and we have been so so happy with her whole time there. All the teachers and key workers through her time there have always been so kind and caring and I really felt like they knew my daughter well even though she only attended 2 days a week. During covid we made the decision to take her out of nursery for a year and they were very supportive during this time and also so supportive and understanding when she re started after her break, helping her re settle in after her time off. The outdoor area is one of my favourite things about the enchanted wood as it really is so special compared to other nursery’s. There are 3 different garden and playground areas with play equipment, wooden climbing frames , sand pits, Wendy houses etc all surrounded by trees which is a lovely setting. My daughter has always enjoyed the meals and snacks the nursery has to offer and they have a good mix on the menu. I also really liked the fact that you can have different attendance options eg a school day/ full day/ morning sessions or afternoon which was so beneficial so to us. The management staff are also so helpful and informative when I’ve needed to change or check things, being very quick to answer any queries or questions I may have asked. My daughter has been really happy at this nursery and made a lovely group of friends - I have recommended the enchanted wood to lots of friends and would definitely give it five stars or more if I could! Thank you!!
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Stacey Hooper
2 years ago
I couldn’t recommend this nursery anymore, all three of my children have attended and thrived here. The staff and lovely and I’ve had comfort and trust knowing they are cared for whilst attending.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for The Enchanted Wood Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2025
Date: May 2012
- August 2025Outstanding
- October 2019Good
- July 2015Outstanding
- May 2012Good
Frequently asked about The Enchanted Wood Day 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