Sign up free
Skip to main content

Nurseries in Southend on Sea

There are 57 nurseries and pre-schools on the Ofsted register in Southend on Sea, and 10 other childcare settings such as out-of-school clubs.

Inspection grades in Southend on Sea

  • Ofsted report cards: 9 settings (25 Strong standard, 18 Expected standard, 11 Needs attention)
  • Ofsted grades before November 2025: 37 settings (8 Outstanding, 29 Good)

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

Childminders and home childcarers

  • 97 registered childminders in Southend on Sea (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)
  • 17 registered home childcarers in Southend on Sea (Ofsted childcare register, as at 30 June 2026)

Childminders look after children in their own homes. We show how many are registered, not who they are.

Nurseries and pre-schools

  • Active Academy - Unit 14 Leighcliff Buildings - Day nursery, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1PR, 100 places
  • Avenue Playgroup - Pre-school, Westcliff-On-Sea SS0 7JX, ages 2 to 4, 30 places
    Ofsted, 17 July 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Blenheim Early Years - Day nursery, Leigh-on-sea SS9 4HX, ages 0 to 4, 68 places
    Ofsted, 17 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Centre Place Nursery - Day nursery, Southend-On-Sea SS1 2JD, ages 1 to 4, 50 places
    Ofsted report card, 12 March 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Cockleshell Nursery - Day nursery, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2UP, ages 0 to 4, 72 places
    Ofsted, 14 March 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Dolly and Bear Day Nursery - Day nursery, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6LR, ages 0 to 4, 62 places
    Ofsted, 18 May 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Eastwood Community Early Years - Day nursery, Leigh On Sea SS9 5AQ, ages 2 to 4, 40 places
    Ofsted, 14 October 2021: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Eastwood Community Nursery Cabin - Day nursery, Southend-on-sea SS2 6UH, 170 places
  • Eastwood Community Pre-School - Day nursery, Southend on Sea SS2 6XY, ages 1 to 4, 47 places
    Ofsted report card, 5 February 2026: Expected standard in 3 areas, Needs attention in 3 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Fairways Pre School Playgroup - Pre-school, Leigh-On-Sea SS9 4QW, ages 2 to 4, 36 places
    Ofsted, 18 May 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Figure Of Eight Education - Day nursery, Westcliff On Sea SS0 9TN
  • Friars Centre Playgroup - Day nursery, Southend-On-Sea SS3 9UT, ages 2 to 4, 46 places
    Ofsted report card, 15 June 2026: Strong standard in 5 areas, Expected standard in 1 area; safeguarding standards met
  • Great Wakering Pre-School - Pre-school, Southend-On-Sea SS3 0EJ, ages 2 to 4, 40 places
    Ofsted, 11 July 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Humpty Dumpty Pre-school - Pre-school, Southend-On-Sea SS2 5PA, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted, 14 June 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Humpty Dumpty Pre School - Pre-school, Southend-On-Sea SS2 4AB, 20 places
  • Imperial Day Nursery Ltd - Day nursery, Westcliff-On-Sea SS0 8NQ, ages 0 to 5, 52 places
    Ofsted, 18 September 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Johnstone Road Pre-School - Pre-school, Thorpe Bay SS1 3HQ, ages 2 to 5, 35 places
    Ofsted, 12 January 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Kids Kingdom Daycare - Day nursery, Southend-on-sea SS2 4FA, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted, 11 December 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Kindred Westcliff - Day nursery, Westcliff-On-Sea SS0 0AL, ages 0 to 4, 88 places
    Ofsted report card, 21 November 2025: Strong standard in 2 areas, Expected standard in 4 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Kingsway Pre-School - Pre-school, Westcliff-On-Sea SS0 9XH, ages 2 to 4, 33 places
    Ofsted, 10 May 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Kip McGrath - Pre-school, Southend On Sea SS2 4LD
  • Ladybird Nursery - Day nursery, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0SF, ages 0 to 4, 55 places
    Ofsted, 6 July 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Le Ballon Rouge Montessori Day Nursery - Day nursery, Southend-on-Sea SS2 4LS, ages 1 to 4, 50 places
    Ofsted, 11 May 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Leigh Road Baptist Church Pre-School - Pre-school, Leigh-On-Sea SS9 1NN, ages 2 to 4, 28 places
    Ofsted, 29 April 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • LEIGH TREASURES PRESCHOOL - Pre-school, Leigh-on-sea SS9 1SJ, 50 places
  • Leigh Village Day Nursery - Day nursery, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1SG, ages 0 to 4, 100 places
    Ofsted, 27 January 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Acorns Preschool - Pre-school, Leigh-On-Sea SS9 3PH, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted report card, 5 March 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Little Fishes Pre-School - Pre-school, Southend-On-Sea SS3 9JD, ages 2 to 4, 60 places
    Ofsted report card, 14 January 2026: Strong standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Little Flores Day Nursery - Day nursery, Southend-on-Sea SS1 2RF, 51 places
  • Little Legs - Day nursery, Southend-On-Sea SS2 6SP, 35 places
  • Little Superstars Nursery - Day nursery, Southend-On-Sea SS3 9DG, ages 0 to 4, 60 places
    Ofsted, 30 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Treasures - Day nursery, Westcliff-On-Sea SS0 9NJ, ages 0 to 4, 73 places
    Ofsted, 15 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Little Turtles Pre-School The Cornerstone U.R.C. - Pre-school, Southend on Sea SS2 5JL, ages 2 to 4, 32 places
    Ofsted, 24 June 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Lottie & Ollie - Day nursery, Leigh-On-Sea SS9 2UW, ages 1 to 3, 30 places
    Ofsted report card, 10 March 2026: Expected standard in 4 areas, Needs attention in 2 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Oak House Montessori Ltd - Day nursery, Southend-On-Sea SS2 4JR, ages 0 to 4, 119 places
    Ofsted, 12 June 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Peek A Boo Pre School - Pre-school, Leigh On Sea SS9 1RG, ages 2 to 4, 20 places
    Ofsted, 8 February 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Phoenix Pre-School - Pre-school, Leigh On Sea SS9 1SY, ages 2 to 4, 23 places
    Ofsted, 3 July 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Poppets Pre-School - Pre-school, Southend-On-Sea SS3 0LN, ages 1 to 4, 32 places
    Ofsted, 16 April 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Rascals - Day nursery, Leigh-On-Sea SS9 4QW, ages 1 to 11, 53 places
    Ofsted, 8 March 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Rascals Day Nursery - Day nursery, Southend on Sea SS3 0LN, ages 0 to 9, 61 places
    Ofsted, 4 January 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Ring O' Roses Pre School - Pre-school, Southend on Sea SS2 6LQ, ages 2 to 4, 26 places
    Ofsted, 10 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Rocking Horse Childcare - Day nursery, Southend-On-Sea SS1 2AS, ages 0 to 5, 42 places
    Ofsted, 7 May 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Rocking Horse Childcare Shoebury - Day nursery, Southend-On-Sea SS3 9NS, 129 places
  • Royal Village Nursery - Day nursery, Southend-on-Sea SS1 1HD, ages 0 to 4, 100 places
    Ofsted, 1 July 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Sarah's Montessori Day Nursery - Day nursery, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 8NE, ages 1 to 4, 75 places
    Ofsted, 11 August 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Small Friends Children's Day Nursery - Day nursery, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 2HA, ages 2 to 4, 60 places
    Ofsted, 25 May 2022: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Smiley Centre For Children - Pre-school, Leigh On Sea SS9 2AR, ages 2 to 4, 40 places
    Ofsted, 25 April 2023: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Snaps Day Nursery - Day nursery, Westcliff-On-Sea SS0 9JG, ages 2 to 4, 38 places
    Ofsted, 9 May 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Southchurch Park Pre-School - Pre-school, Southend-On-Sea SS1 2PT, 87 places
  • Stagecoach Southend - Pre-school, Southend-on-sea SS2 6JH
  • Stepping Stones Day Nursery & Preschool - Day nursery, Southend-On-Sea SS1 2RE, ages 0 to 4, 39 places
    Ofsted, 6 April 2022: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Sunshine Day Nursery 2003 LTD - Day nursery, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0AX, ages 0 to 4, 53 places
    Ofsted report card, 31 March 2026: Expected standard in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Temple Sutton Early Years - Day nursery, Southend-on-sea SS2 4BA, ages 0 to 4, 151 places
    Ofsted, 22 July 2025: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Trinket Box Pre School Ltd - Pre-school, Southend-On-Sea SS1 3BS, ages 2 to 4, 58 places
    Ofsted, 24 April 2023: Outstanding overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Twizzle Tops Day Nursery - Day nursery, Southend-on-sea SS2 4JN, ages 0 to 4, 76 places
    Ofsted, 9 August 2024: Good overall; safeguarding is effective
  • Westcliff Pre School - Pre-school, Westcliff-on-sea SS0 8LL, ages 2 to 4, 36 places
    Ofsted report card, 13 January 2026: Needs attention in 6 areas; safeguarding standards met
  • Whitehouse Playgroup Preschool - Day nursery, Southend on Sea SS9 5SJ, ages 0 to 4, 25 places
    Ofsted, 29 September 2025: Good overall; safeguarding is effective

Out-of-school clubs and other childcare

  • Active Academy - The Westborough School - Out-of-school club, Westcliff-on-sea SS0 9BS
  • Camp 4 Champs @ Thorpe Hall - Out-of-school club, Southend-On-Sea SS1 3RD, 119 places
  • Explore Learning Southend - Out-of-school club, Southend on Sea SS1 2AY
  • Jjs Tuition - Out-of-school club, Leigh-On-Sea SS9 2UL
  • Kidz Camp Essex Southend - Out-of-school club, Southend-On-Sea SS2 4PQ, 150 places
  • Leigh North Street School - Intrepid Ventures Holiday Camp - Out-of-school club, Leigh-On-Sea SS9 1QE
  • Mega Camps Southend - Out-of-school club, Southend-on-sea SS2 4UZ, 90 places
  • Sport Star Limited - Out-of-school club, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3HS
  • Super Star Sport Provision & Camps @ Greenways Primary School - Out-of-school club, Southend-on-sea SS1 3BS
  • Theatretrain Leigh-on-Sea - Out-of-school club, Leigh-On-Sea SS9 2AR

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)

Towns in Southend on Sea

Schools in Southend on Sea

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