Alresford Pre-School
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Colchester for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in September 2021, though that is 5 years ago now. Open since 2014, with 30 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
CO7 8AUWhat 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, 22 September 2021 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children settle well and form strong bonds with staff, who are attentive to their individual needs. Children show high levels of independence, both in learning and self-care skills, such as serving snack, washing their hands and using the toilet.
They are well prepared for the next stage in their learning, including school.
Children are confident to explore the environment. They delight in playing with materials, such as sand, and play dough scented with Italian herbs. Children develop their language skills as they talk about how it smells and how it feels.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help staff to develop their skills in supporting children to solve problems for themselves n support children to gain a better understanding of the impact their behaviour may have on others.
- 22 September 2021Good
- 26 April 2018Good
- 18 November 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Alresford Pre-School
- 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.