Abacus Kindergarten
Outstanding★ 5.0 on GoogleBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Colchester for children from birth to 8+, open 09:00 to 14:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in September 2022. Open since 2014, with 40 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Essex
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Essex from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
CO4 0PZWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 28 September 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive and flourish at this exceptional setting. They come in excited each day to meet the friendly staff. Children make lasting friendships and show care and concern for others. They develop confidence in choosing favourite activities from a wide range of choices. Children quickly become independent explorers, developing their own personal preferences.
Children's behaviour is outstanding. Staff are clear and consistent with routines. As a result, children feel settled and calm as they know the expectations each day.
Children are given notice before they need to finish their activity. Staff use visual prompts and countdowns. This leads to calm transition periods. Staff act as incredible role models for turn-taking and sharing resources. They teach children the importance of respecting each other and property. Children therefore take pride in tidying up for the next child. They thrive under the responsibility and challenge. Children can also take part in mindfulness sessions. These include recognising emotions, calming, stretching and breathing exercises. This creates calm environments in both rooms.
- 28 September 2022Outstanding
- 17 November 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Abacus Kindergarten
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.