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Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2024)
·
4.8(58 parent reviews)
·University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, COLCHESTER, CO4 3SQ · Essex
Number of places
147 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2024
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery, situated within the picturesque grounds of the University of Essex in Colchester, provides a stimulating childcare environment for children aged three months to five years. The nursery offers flexible sessions, catering to University students and staff, as well as members of the general public.

Committed to offering rich early educational experiences, the nursery proudly accepts government-funded childcare spaces and emphasises transparency by not imposing additional or hidden fees on funded sessions. Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery has received a "Good" rating from Ofsted, highlighting its inclusive approach and supportive atmosphere where children feel happy and settled.

The dedicated staff are praised for their caring nature and for fostering nurturing relationships with the children. A unique feature is the Forest School provision, which allows children to explore the outdoors freely and safely.

The nursery also maintains a strong family ethos, encouraging parental involvement and celebrating milestones like graduation with an event mirroring the University of Essex ceremonies.

Our ethos

Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery is committed to providing rich early educational experiences. It offers a Forest School provision for outdoor exploration and maintains a strong family ethos that encourages parental involvement.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled in this inclusive nursery. The key-person system and settling-in procedures ensure that children settle quickly. Leaders have created areas in each room to help children manage their own feelings, resulting in children generally playing harmoniously together. Leaders design a curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do, ensuring all children make good progress.

University campus settingGovernment funding accepted with no hidden feesForest School provisionDiscounts for University of Essex staff and studentsOfsted rated "Good"

Pricing & funding

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
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 8am to 6pm.

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2010

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery

Last inspected 19 March 2024

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 are happy and settled in this inclusive nursery. The key-person system and settling-in procedures ensure that children settle quickly. Leaders have created areas in each room to help children manage their own feelings, resulting in children generally playing harmoniously together. Leaders design a curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do, ensuring all children make good progress.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are happy and settled in this inclusive nursery.
  • The key-person system and settling-in procedures ensure that children settle quickly.
  • Children benefit from interactive storytelling throughout the day, helping them develop a love of books and improve talking and listening skills.
  • Leaders design a curriculum that builds on what children already know and can do.
  • Parents are extremely pleased with the progress their children make at the nursery.

Areas to develop

  • 1strengthen the organisation of routines and activities to ensure that children do not have prolonged periods of inactivity
  • 2support all staff who work directly with children to continue to develop their interactions and raise the quality of teaching to a consistently high level
Inspection #10336162 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents are extremely pleased with the progress their children make at the nursery.

Parents appreciate the excellent communication they receive about their children's development.

children with SEND are supported well to make the same good progress.

Parents appreciate that staff celebrate their cultural festivals which are important to them.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported. The special educational needs coordinator is passionate about her role and has a good understanding of her responsibilities. She works closely with families and other professionals to ensure that individual learning plans provide the right support. This means that all children make good progress from their starting points.

Outdoor space

The inspectors observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

Parent Reviews of Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery

4.8
(58)
Patrick Lown
4 months ago

WPDN is an incredible nursery. Our oldest son moved to reception this year and our youngest is about halfway through. From start to finish we have felt supported and cared for by our children's key persons, the other teachers in their rooms, and the rest of the WPDN staff. The staff genuinely care about your children, and there's little more important than that. We've always felt that WPDN was a stimulating and comfortable place for our boys to be - and they're happy to be there too! The supportive environment and range of activities has really nurtured their growth. The nursery is welcoming and when challenges come up for your child - and they will - the staff reinforce what is normal development and work with you to put a plan in place to do what's best for your child, at nursery and at home. The forest school is a wonderful addition to the pre-school provision. Dan and Teresa do a great job allowing the children to explore outdoors freely and safely. Our son would have been there every day if it were an option! Nursery is expensive but as a working parent, there's no avoiding it. Dawn and the admin staff do their best to keep the fees as low as they can while ensuring that staff are supported and costs are covered. I'm glad we still have time on the clock with our youngest because I'm not ready to say goodbye to WPDN yet!

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Scarlett B
6 months ago

Sending your child to nursery is a huge deal for any parent, but particularly first time ones. I can honestly say WPDN made absolutely every effort to accommodate all our wants and needs as parents, despite how out of the ordinary some might have been! Nothing has been too much hassle. The transition to each room has been seamless. All the staff genuinely feel like they care about your children. Dawn and Danielle a special thanks for your help and support. Our son is moving to a childminder now with his new sisters and it honestly feels bitter sweet to be saying goodbye. Absolutely don’t hesitate to consider this nursery for your precious children.

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Laura Collins
9 months ago

The most fantastic nursery we could have hoped for. I have never doubted that my son has been cared for to the highest standard in the 3 plus years he has spent here. Staff are kind, enthusiastic and caring and really take the time to get to know your child. Every day there is a wide variety of activities and learning. The garden area and forest school are brilliant and I loved that my son spent so much time outdoors exploring. We honestly couldn’t praise the nursery more highly- thank you!

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Charnelle Gardiner
9 months ago

I couldn’t give enough positive feedback in this review to match the experience I have had with Wivenhoe Park Nursery. From the moment my son first started nursery when I was feeling quite unsure about leaving my child in the care of others, right through to finishing this August, he and I have received continued support, kindness and understanding. The setting is so incredible for the children with so much outdoor space and variety in daily activities. They have always taken the time to get to know and understand my children and cater to any needs I have had from adjusting nap times, assisting with potty training and dietary requirements and changes in childcare needs. Every day you are met with a friendly face and helpful team and nothing is too much trouble. It was the best decision I made putting my children in this nursery and I will always have such fond memories of their time here and so will they. Thank you!

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Stacey Wagner
9 months ago

When I had children, I always knew this was where they would attend, there were no other nurseries that were even close contenders and that is because it is a very special place. A place where children are happy, children thrive and, in my opinion, have the best start to their lives. I am so proud to say my children have been here and will forever sing your praises and recommend you. The care received from all members of staff in every room has just been outstanding. I have always felt comfortable and that my children were safe and well looked after. From the moment you enter the nursery you instantly feel welcomed, the staff are always happy, give you their time and are always on hand to offer support and advice. My children have loved every moment at nursery and been so close to all her key workers and other members of staff in the room. The bonds she has made have been adorable to witness and so special to her. They are especially lucky to have experienced Forest School and learnt so many things, so a huge thank you and keep up the fantastic work. This nursery is truly blessed with the best. Genuinely can’t thank you all enough.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: November 2010

  • March 2024Good
  • February 2020Outstanding
  • June 2016Good
  • November 2012Good
  • November 2010Good

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