Brinkley Lane Day Nursery School
OutstandingBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Colchester for children from birth to 5, open 07:00 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 September 2025. Open since 2014, with 54 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 9XNWhat 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, 26 September 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive in this inclusive and welcoming nursery. Leaders focus on helping children build strong bonds with staff from the start. Staff demonstrate an exceptional understanding of each child and respond sensitively to their individual needs. As a result, children arrive with smiles and enthusiasm, settle quickly and enjoy the exciting activities on offer.
Children benefit from an ambitious, well-sequenced curriculum that is tailored to their developmental needs and individual interests. Activities are purposeful and inspire children to think critically, expand their vocabulary and sustain concentration for extended periods. For example, when exploring metal detectors, staff encourage children to test out their ideas and consider what objects at home may be made of metal.
Staff have high expectations for all children, including those learning English as an additional language. They adapt teaching effectively to ensure that every child is included, makes rapid progress and develops essential skills for the future. Simple sign language and translation tools are used well to support understanding.
- 26 September 2025Outstanding Safeguarding: Yes
- 24 February 2020Outstanding
- 14 July 2014Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Brinkley Lane Day Nursery 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.