Bright Horizons Basildon Day Nursery and Preschool
Good★ 4.9 on GoogleBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Basildon for children from birth to 5, open 07:00 to 18:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in July 2024. Open since 2004, with 142 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
SS14 3DGWhat 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.
- 14 September 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
- 5 May 2026 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 26 July 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
The manager and her team ensure children and their families are welcomed into the inclusive and homely nursery. They are greeted by enthusiastic staff who are genuinely pleased to see them. The nursery is vibrant and exciting and overall, delivers a broad, stimulating and ambitious curriculum. The staff know the children well as they have invested time in getting to know them and their family before they attend. This means activities are planned to build on what children already know and what they need to learn next. Staff also plan learning opportunities with the 'Bright Horizons nurturing behaviour' principles underpinning the activities planned. The team recognise that happy children who are interested in their environment, learn well. Therefore, there is a strong focus on children's emotional development.
Children are confident and demonstrate they feel safe and secure. They ask lots of questions, show curiosity and are keen, eager learners. Gentle and attentive staff are skilful in their interactions. They provide children with lots of praise and encouragement and recognise their achievements. Children listen with intent and follow staff's instructions. They have established trusting bonds with their key person. Children are kind to one another and have made friendships. Their behaviour is very good.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen staff knowledge about how to support and challenge the younger, most able children's learning.
- 26 July 2024Good
- 22 October 2018Good
- 31 October 2014Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Bright Horizons Basildon Day Nursery and Preschool
- 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.