Cockleshell Nursery
Good★ 3.3 on GoogleBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Southend-On-Sea for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in March 2023. Open since 2004, with 72 places.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
SS1 2UPWhat 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, 14 March 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are happy and confident in the nursery. They eagerly approach visitors to ask their names and introduce themselves. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the care of familiar adults. They climb onto staff's laps, ready to listen to a story. Children spontaneously offer cuddles to adults, showing their affection.
Babies enjoy being active in a music session. They join in with staff to bend and stretch to 'wake up their bodies', to start their day. Toddlers join in with group song times that are planned to help them be active. During a song about sleeping lions, they pretend to be asleep. Staff build on the anticipation by talking softly to them as they reach the key moment to wake up. They jump up and down with excitement and pretend to roar like lions.
Children play cooperatively in the outdoor environment. They transport soil from the mud kitchen to the playhouse. They use wooden spoons carefully to scoop the soil into bowls and relish serving their imaginary food to adults. Staff encourage and join in with other children to run up and down the garden. Children giggle as they follow their friends. This helps them to develop positive attitudes towards being active.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to provide consistent opportunities for children to develop their independence, particularly at mealtimes n review and adapt activities to ensure all children, particularly the quieter children, fully engage and benefit from the learning.
- 14 March 2023Good
- 27 September 2017Good
- 12 April 2013Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Cockleshell Nursery
- 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.