Danbury Pre-School at St John's
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Chelmsford for children from birth to 8+, open 09:00 to 15:00, 7 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in April 2025. Open since 2010, with 26 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
CM3 4NSWhat 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, 24 April 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
This small, homely and welcoming pre-school offers children a variety of exciting play and learning opportunities, both indoors and out. The stimulating curriculum is designed around what children already know and their current interests. Staff give children time to explore their interests as they arise. For example, children ask for a teabag and observe what happens when this is mixed with mud and then when water is added. Activities are planned to support children to gain confidence, promote independence, develop communication skills and facilitate emotional regulation.
Children behave well and play together harmoniously without support. They are taught the skills to work through problems independently. They seek out adults if they need support, and adults assist them in finding a resolution. For example, when children upset others, they are spoken to about how they have made their friends feel, and this is dealt with in a sensitive and appropriate manner for all children involved. This helps children to develop empathy, problem-solving skills and resilience.
All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- further develop processes to ensure appropriate support is in place to facilitate the transition to school for children with SEND
- support staff in planning and adapting large-group sessions to enhance children's learning outcomes further.
- 24 April 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 8 July 2019Good
- 23 October 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Danbury Pre-School at St John's
- 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.