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The Little Bears Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Nov 2021)
·Maldon Road, Hatfield Peverel, Chelmsford, CM3 2HS · Essex
Number of places
60 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2021
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

The Little Bears Nursery in Chelmsford, CM3 2HS, provides a nurturing environment for children, focusing on offering flexible childcare solutions for families. They aim to support parents by providing various funding options, including government-backed schemes, and structuring invoices to spread costs evenly throughout the year.

The nursery emphasises a rich and stimulating programme that includes daily home-cooked meals, educational trips, PE lessons, and targeted interventions like Talk Boost. They also incorporate external activities, music, and video licenses, along with investing in software packages and Tapestry subscriptions to enhance learning and communication with parents.

The nursery ensures ongoing investment in new resources to provide a high-quality educational experience while clearly outlining the charges for consumables and additional activities, which are not covered by government funding.

What it's like

Children arrive happily and are eager to learn, building strong bonds with staff and showing genuine affection. They are confident in the well-organised nursery, supported from a young age to do things for themselves and making their own play choices from a variety of activities. Children move confidently between play areas, engaging in purposeful play indoors and outdoors with resources that encourage curiosity.

Flexible funding optionsDaily home-cooked mealsEducational trips and activities

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers structured funded sessions over 38 weeks per year, with annual fees invoiced in equal monthly installments. Funded hours cover basic provision, while optional daily charges apply for meals and consumables. Standard day rates apply for any additional non-funded hours.

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds

Good to know

  • Funding is delivered over 38 weeks per year.
  • Total annual fees are spread evenly across consistent monthly invoices.
  • Ad-hoc sessions are invoiced separately.
  • A retainer is charged during unfunded weeks, requiring a minimum of two sessions.
  • Funded sessions exclude consumables and food, which incur extra daily charges unless parents opt out.

Key facts

Opening hours

7.30am until 6pm, Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2018

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for The Little Bears Nursery

Last inspected 12 November 2021

Safeguarding effective
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 arrive happily and are eager to learn, building strong bonds with staff and showing genuine affection. They are confident in the well-organised nursery, supported from a young age to do things for themselves and making their own play choices from a variety of activities. Children move confidently between play areas, engaging in purposeful play indoors and outdoors with resources that encourage curiosity.

Inspector highlights

  • Partnerships with parents are good, and they become involved in their children's learning, receiving regular updates from staff.
  • Children have a positive attitude to learning and are eager to join in activities, such as playing with play dough and creating masterpieces with natural objects.
  • The manager is passionate about her role, working well with her capable staff team who feel valued and supported through meaningful supervision and training.
  • Children benefit from a well-planned curriculum, with staff regularly observing and assessing their development to plan enhancing activities.
  • Staff positively promote children's understanding of healthy lifestyles, making snack time a social occasion and helping children develop independence in self-care tasks.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff further in following daily routines and plans while still allowing children time to concentrate and build on their chosen activities.
Inspection #10191553 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who may need extra help in their learning and development are supported well. Staff engage with other professionals and parents to support children's individual learning needs consistently.

Outdoor space

Children move very confidently between play areas and make their own play choices from the interesting variety of activities on offer. They engage in purposeful play, indoors and outdoors, with a wide range of resources that encourage them to be curious.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

12 November 2021

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about The Little Bears 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