Close to Home Childcare Ltd
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Burnham on Crouch for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in July 2024. Open since 2009, with 37 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
CM0 8HRWhat 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, 11 July 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Teaching is outstanding and children flourish in this exceptionally homely and inspiring learning environment. The passion and enthusiasm of the managers is infectious, and the team of staff share their commitment and dedication to provide superb learning opportunities for all children. The education programme is carefully planned around children's interests. It is ambitious and challenges what children already know, supporting their learning to the highest level. Children arrive and are keen and eager to start their day. They are warmly greeted by nurturing staff, who know them extremely well and are genuinely pleased to see them. Children leave their parents with ease. They show immense curiosity and wonderment in the activities provided and immerse themselves in their play.
Superb support and a strong focus is given to ensure children's well-being. The ethos of the nursery puts children at the centre of every decision made. Children are respectfully listened to, have a voice, and can influence what they learn next.
For example, daily meetings with the children enable them to express what interests them and informs the planning. They recall previous learning, such as the life cycle of caterpillars. They talk about the symmetrical patterns of butterflies they have painted and talk about metamorphosis. They decide what they want to paint as they discuss the styles of artists they have learned about and comment on the artist Yayoi Kusama's love of spots. The meticulously planned outdoor environment captures children's curiosity and children relish their time in the garden. Children are confident and have a strong sense of self and belonging. They understand the high expectations of the staff and their behaviour is exemplary.
- 11 July 2024Outstanding
- 22 August 2018Outstanding
- 21 July 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Close to Home Childcare Ltd
- 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.