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Nurseries in Colchester

There are 84 nurseries and pre-schools on the Ofsted register in Colchester, and 36 other childcare settings such as out-of-school clubs.

Inspection grades in Colchester

  • Ofsted report cards: 17 settings (2 Exceptional, 59 Strong standard, 38 Expected standard, 3 Needs attention)
  • Ofsted grades before November 2025: 59 settings (11 Outstanding, 48 Good)

Grades are shown only where the inspectorate has published the report.

Nurseries and pre-schools

  • Abacus Kindergarten - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 0PZ, ages 2 to 4, 40 places
    Ofsted, 28 September 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Abacus Little Learners - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 0HH, ages 2 to 5, 24 places
    Ofsted report card, 30 April 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Absolute Angels Montessori Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO6 1TT, ages 2 to 6, 38 places
    Ofsted, 24 May 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Alresford Pre-School - Pre-school, Colchester CO7 8AU, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
    Ofsted, 22 September 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Angelina's Day Care Ltd - Day nursery, Colchester CO1 2TX, ages 1 to 4, 90 places
    Ofsted report card, 2 February 2026: Strong standard in 1 area, Expected standard in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Banana Moon Colchester - Day nursery, Colchester CO1 1TY, ages 1 to 3, 106 places
    Ofsted, 27 September 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Bright Horizons Colchester Day Nursery and Preschool - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 6BT, ages 0 to 4, 108 places
    Ofsted report card, 11 February 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Brimpton House Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO5 9AE, ages 0 to 4, 54 places
    Ofsted report card, 23 January 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Brinkley Lane Day Nursery School - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 9XN, ages 0 to 4, 54 places
    Ofsted, 26 September 2025: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Busy Bees Day Nursery at Colchester Severalls Business Park - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 9AS, ages 0 to 4, 106 places
    Ofsted report card, 6 February 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Busy Bees Day Nursery at Colchester Stanway - Day nursery, Colchester CO3 8LT, ages 0 to 4, 103 places
    Ofsted, 2 November 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Butterfly Blue Day Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO2 7FJ, ages 0 to 5, 120 places
    Ofsted, 21 August 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Caterpillars Pre-School - Day nursery, Colchester CO2 0LZ, ages 3 to 4, 16 places
    Ofsted, 28 June 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Caterpillars Pre-School Marks Tey - Pre-school, Colchester CO6 1HL, 30 places
  • Celtic Rose Center - Pre-school, Colchester CO1 2RB, ages 1 to 4, 30 places
    Ofsted, 31 January 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Centre Preschool (Colchester) CIO - Pre-school, Colchester CO3 9EF, 50 places
  • Chesterwell Day Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 6AZ, ages 0 to 4, 84 places
    Ofsted report card, 27 November 2025: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Chestnut House Kindergarten - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 5LE, ages 0 to 4, 76 places
    Ofsted, 28 May 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Childsplay Day Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO1 1XF, ages 0 to 3, 70 places
    Ofsted, 13 September 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Christchurch Preschool - Pre-school, Colchester CO3 3AT, ages 3 to 4, 33 places
    Ofsted, 19 April 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Colchester Montessori Day Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO2 8WJ, ages 0 to 4, 98 places
    Ofsted, 24 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park Kids Camp - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 5YX
  • Dalemor Explorer Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO6 2NS, ages 0 to 5, 63 places
    Ofsted report card, 3 July 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Dragonfly Day Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Colchester CO1 1DZ, ages 1 to 4, 68 places
    Ofsted, 5 January 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • East Bergholt Young Explorers - Day nursery, Colchester CO7 6QT, ages 0 to 11, 60 places
    Ofsted report card, 24 February 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Elmstead Nursery Ltd - Pre-school, Colchester CO7 7YQ, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted, 8 July 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Great Bentley Pre-School - Pre-school, Colchester CO7 8LG, ages 2 to 4, 32 places
    Ofsted, 17 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Great Tey Pre-School - Pre-school, Colchester CO6 1JQ, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
    Ofsted, 23 January 2024: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Grove Preschool Stanway - Pre-school, Colchester CO3 0PG, ages 2 to 4, 20 places
    Ofsted, 30 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Holly Corner Kindergarten - Day nursery, Colchester CO3 4RX, ages 0 to 4, 37 places
    Ofsted, 20 May 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Holmwood House Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO6 4DY, ages 0 to 2, 44 places
    Ofsted, 14 July 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Humpty Dumpty Pre-School (Colchester) - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 9GF, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted, 11 July 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester Academy Ltd - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 3JL, ages 1 to 3, 37 places
    Ofsted, 1 November 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Kiddi Caru Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO2 8JB, ages 0 to 5, 122 places
    Ofsted, 29 July 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Kidz fun Early years - Pre-school, Colchester CO2 7DP, 8 places
  • Ladybirds Pre-School - Day nursery, Colchester CO7 8HQ, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
    Ofsted, 7 December 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Langham Pre-School - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 5PA, ages 2 to 4, 24 places
    Ofsted, 30 June 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Lavender Hall Kindergarten - Day nursery, Colchester CO7 6QT, ages 0 to 8, 57 places
    Ofsted, 17 January 2025: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Layer Preschool - Pre-school, Colchester CO2 0JU, ages 2 to 4, 32 places
    Ofsted, 24 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Lexden Lodge Kindergarten - Day nursery, Colchester CO3 3QD, ages 0 to 4, 125 places
    Ofsted, 17 October 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Angels Pre School Ltd - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 3HR, ages 2 to 4, 39 places
    Ofsted, 2 December 2021: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Butterflies Pre-School - Pre-school, Colchester CO3 9UE, ages 2 to 5, 24 places
    Ofsted, 25 March 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Butterflies Pre-School Fordham - Pre-school, Colchester CO6 3NN, 25 places
  • Little Explorers Pre-School - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 3QE, ages 2 to 4, 24 places
    Ofsted, 26 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Owls Preschool (Boxted) - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 5RE, ages 2 to 4, 33 places
    Ofsted, 26 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Peeps Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO5 9QB, ages 2 to 4, 27 places
    Ofsted, 21 June 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Milldene Playgroup - Day nursery, Colchester CO5 0JH, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
    Ofsted, 24 September 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery Stanway - Day nursery, Colchester CO3 0RH, ages 0 to 4, 159 places
    Ofsted report card, 14 April 2026: Strong standard in 1 area, Expected standard in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Munchkins Nursery and Pre School - Day nursery, Colchester CO7 0AB, ages 0 to 4, 54 places
    Ofsted, 30 March 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • MW and H Ltd t/a Bluebell Pre-school - Pre-school, Colchester CO6 3BW, ages 2 to 4, 51 places
    Ofsted, 16 January 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Myland Pre-School CIC - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 5DY, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted, 6 June 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Nannas Day Nurseries - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 5XT, ages 2 to 4, 44 places
    Ofsted, 14 June 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Nannas Day Nurseries - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 5JR, ages 0 to 4, 60 places
    Ofsted report card, 28 November 2025: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Nannas Neighbourhood Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 3JP, ages 0 to 4, 56 places
    Ofsted, 10 November 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Oaklea Montessori Cic - Day nursery, Colchester CO1 2DE, ages 0 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted, 11 February 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Oaklea Montessori St John's - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 0HP, ages 2 to 4, 24 places
    Ofsted, 7 April 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Orchard Barn Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO7 7PQ, ages 0 to 5, 68 places
    Ofsted, 10 June 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Orchard Barn Stratford St Mary - Day nursery, Colchester CO7 6JU, ages 0 to 4, 37 places
    Ofsted, 9 February 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Parents Dream - Day nursery, Colchester CO6 3BW
  • Pippins Day Nursery and Preschool - Day nursery, Colchester CO6 2QF, ages 0 to 4, 69 places
    Ofsted, 4 October 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Plume Avenue Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO3 4PQ, ages 2 to 4, 60 places
    Ofsted, 18 March 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Rainbow Playgroup - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 5ET, ages 2 to 4, 20 places
    Ofsted, 17 January 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Roman River Pre-School - Pre-school, Colchester CO5 7BH, ages 2 to 4, 25 places
    Ofsted report card, 9 December 2025: Strong standard in 2 areas, Expected standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Rowhedge Under 5's - Pre-school, Colchester CO5 7HR, ages 2 to 4, 35 places
    Ofsted, 11 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Second Steps Day Nursery (Colchester) Limited - Day nursery, Colchester CO3 4RG, ages 0 to 11, 69 places
    Ofsted, 12 October 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Squirrels Pre-School - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 9SR, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted, 2 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Stanway Pre-school - Pre-school, Colchester CO3 0QG, ages 2 to 4, 48 places
    Ofsted report card, 23 June 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Stepping Stones play and learn group - Pre-school, Colchester CO1 2LR, 45 places
  • St Johns Green Playgroup - Pre-school, Colchester CO2 7HE, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
    Ofsted, 9 January 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Sunhill Early Learning Colchester - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 5QJ, ages 0 to 8, 87 places
    Ofsted, 8 December 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Tadpoles Pre-School - Pre-school, Colchester CO6 1EJ, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted report card, 2 March 2026: Strong standard in 1 area, Expected standard in 5 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • The Barn Nursery School Colne Engaine Ltd - Pre-school, Colchester CO6 2ES, ages 2 to 4, 24 places
    Ofsted report card, 11 February 2026: Exceptional in 2 areas, Strong standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • The Beeches Pre-school - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 3AQ, ages 2 to 4, 14 places
    Ofsted, 18 September 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • The Beeches Pre-School Annexe - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 3XG, ages 2 to 3, 23 places
    Ofsted, 17 September 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • The Mulberry Bush Montessori Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Colchester CO5 8JB, ages 0 to 4, 30 places
    Ofsted report card, 4 February 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • The Old Schoolhouse Kindergarten - Day nursery, Colchester CO3 8PB, ages 0 to 4, 46 places
    Ofsted, 17 February 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • The Wilson Marriage Centre Nursery, Little Learners - Day nursery, Colchester CO1 2LR, ages 1 to 4, 22 places
    Ofsted report card, 20 November 2025: Strong standard in 2 areas, Expected standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Tiddlywinks Preschool - Day nursery, Colchester CO6 4AT, ages 1 to 4, 40 places
    Ofsted report card, 17 March 2026: Expected standard in 3 areas, Needs attention in 3 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Tiptree Day Nursery and Pre-School - Day nursery, Colchester CO5 0JP, ages 0 to 4, 34 places
    Ofsted, 18 December 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO4 3SQ, ages 0 to 7, 147 places
    Ofsted, 19 March 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Woodland Barn Day Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO1 2EX, ages 0 to 4, 48 places
    Ofsted, 11 January 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Woodland Corner - Day nursery, Colchester CO6 4HY, ages 2 to 4, 28 places
    Ofsted, 12 July 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Woodland House Day Nursery - Day nursery, Colchester CO7 7PJ, 55 places
  • Yellow Brick Rd Nursery Highwoods - Pre-school, Colchester CO4 9YN, ages 2 to 4, 22 places
    Ofsted, 13 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective

Out-of-school clubs and other childcare

  • Allstar Community Academy Lakelands - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 8AJ, 30 places
  • CMXSC @ Gosbecks Primary School - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO2 9DG, 36 places
  • Colchester Leisure World Kid's Camp - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO1 1YH
  • Earls Colne MultiCoach Camp - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO6 2NG
  • Earls Colne Primary School @ EPC - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO6 2RH, 40 places
  • Explore Learning Colchester - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 8AA
  • Friars Grove Camp @ EPC - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO4 0PZ, 40 places
  • Fun 4 Kids At Bishop William Ward - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO6 4AT, 16 places
  • Fun 4 Kids At Camulos Academy - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO4 6AL, 30 places
  • Fun 4 Kids at Dedham - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO7 6BZ, 16 places
  • Fun 4 Kids at Highwoods - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO4 9SN, 24 places
  • Fun 4 Kids at Kendall - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO1 2HJ, 16 places
  • Fun 4 Kids at St Johns Green - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO2 7HE, 50 places
  • Fun 4 Kids At St Michaels - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO2 9RA, 25 places
  • H16 - Philip Morant - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 4QS
  • Hopscotch Kids Club - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO6 3JF, 45 places
  • Jacqui Robinson Education - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO4 0ET
  • Junior Adventures Group @ Ardleigh St Marys CO7 - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO7 7NS, 30 places
  • Junior Adventures Group @ Kelvedon St Marys CO5 - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO5 9DS, 50 places
  • Junior Adventures Group @ St Andrews CO6 - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO6 1HL, 30 places
  • Kidz4Ever Limited - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO4 3QJ, 60 places
  • Kidz Camp Essex Colchester - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 0QA, 60 places
  • Kip McGrath Colchester Central - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 3HA
  • Little Oaks Wraparound Colne Engaine - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO6 2HA, 20 places
  • Mersea Camp - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO5 8QX, 40 places
  • Olivers Lodge - Colchester - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO4 9GF, 40 places
  • Premier Education WAC - Fordham All Saints CofE VC Primary School - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO6 3NN, 18 places
  • Premier Education WAC - Great Bentley Primary School - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO7 8LD, 23 places
  • Rainbow Rangers - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO4 5YN, 23 places
  • School's Out Activities at Colchester County High School - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 3US, 60 places
  • School's Out Activities At Colchester Royal Grammar School - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 3ND, 98 places
  • SCS Academy - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 0QA
  • Shalom Education Tuition Centre - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 9DW
  • Stagecoach Colchester - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO1 1SN
  • Stanway Fiveways Holiday Club - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO3 0QG, 60 places
  • St Georges Newtown - EPC - Out-of-school club, Colchester CO2 7RU, 40 places

Nursery groups with settings here

Ofsted report cards (England, from November 2025)

Since 10 November 2025 Ofsted has graded nurseries and pre-schools on a report card. There is no single overall grade. Instead, each of six areas gets one of five grades: Exceptional, Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention, Urgent improvement.

The six areas are inclusion; curriculum and teaching; achievement; behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines; children's welfare and wellbeing; leadership and governance. Safeguarding is judged on its own, as met or not met.

Expected standard means the setting does what Ofsted expects of every setting. Strong standard and Exceptional are above that; Needs attention and Urgent improvement mean Ofsted found things the setting has to put right.

Source: Ofsted reports

Ofsted grades before November 2025 (England)

Inspections before November 2025 gave one overall grade on a four-point scale: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement, Inadequate. Ofsted also graded the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management, and said whether safeguarding was effective.

Settings keep their last grade until Ofsted visits again, so many nurseries still show a grade from this older scale.

Source: Ofsted reports

Funded childcare hours in England

All 3 and 4 year olds in England can get 15 hours of free childcare a week, for 38 weeks of the year.

Working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years old can get 30 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year (Free Childcare for Working Parents), if they meet the earnings rules. You confirm your details every 3 months.

Some 2 year olds can get 15 hours a week when the family gets certain kinds of extra support.

The hours are used at a registered provider that offers them, so ask each nursery how it offers the funded hours.

Source: GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents, check if you're eligible · GOV.UK: Free childcare and education for 2 to 4 year olds (checked 31 October 2026)

Council area

Schools in Colchester

Sources: Ofsted, registers as at 30 June 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.