Chrysalis Pre-School
OutstandingBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Loughton for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in January 2024. Open since 2016, with 46 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
IG10 4LTWhat 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, 17 January 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive in this inspirational setting. They are supported by committed and knowledgeable staff who have the highest expectations for their learning and development. Staff provide exciting and stimulating learning experiences, both inside and outdoors, using real-life resources. This sparks children's sense of awe and wonder and they demonstrate a strong desire to learn. Children become deeply engrossed in activities. For example, older children investigate a variety of vegetables, peeling and cutting them, intently examining the inside and outside and comparing the different shapes, textures and colours. Their learning is enhanced further when staff provide time lapse videos of vegetables growing from seeds.
Staff have an incise understanding of each child's learning needs. Their highly effective interactions ensure children are appropriately supported and challenged in their learning. Staff consistently praise children's efforts and achievements, helping to promote their confidence and self-esteem. As a result, children are keen to try things without worrying about making mistakes.
Staff treat children and each other with kindness and respect, acting as excellent role models for the behaviour that is expected. As a result, children's behaviour is exemplary. Children are polite and demonstrate excellent social skills. They are keen to engage with visitors and excitedly invite them to look at what they have been doing. For example, children talk about the animals and melting ice in the
- 17 January 2024Outstanding
- 20 April 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Chrysalis 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.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.