Bell Day Nursery Community Interest Company
OutstandingBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Saffron Walden for babies from 6 months up to 5 year olds, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in June 2025. Open since 2011, with 73 places.
What it costs
Prices change without notice. Treat these as what to ask about, not a quote.
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
CB11 3EDWhat 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, 10 June 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children truly flourish and thrive in this home-from-home nursery. They settle extremely well and form strong, loving bonds with staff. Even the youngest of children are familiar with the routines. Babies excitedly toddle over when they hear that circle time is beginning. Children excitedly run over to staff, who greet them with such happiness and love. Staff are excellent role models. They always model kindness and respect to each other as well as the children. This has an exceptionally positive impact on the children and the overall culture of the nursery.
Staff set clear and well-thought-out boundaries for children. Children know exactly what is expected of them and are impeccably behaved. They learn to negotiate with each other and develop high levels of empathy and self-control. Staff create engaging strategies to help children understand how to be kind and courteous to others. For example, when walking past the baby room, the children all join in a whispering song, 'the babies are asleep, shh shh shh'.
Staff promote communication and language exceptionally well. Children learn high levels of listening and attention skills because of the staff's skilful interactions.
- 10 June 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 4 July 2019Outstanding
- 31 January 2019Inadequate
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Bell Day Nursery Community Interest Company
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Meals
- Nappies
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.
- Do you have a place for a child of my age now? 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.