Little Learners
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in Chelmsford for children from birth to 5, open 09:00 to 15:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in February 2025. Open since 2004, with 19 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
CM1 2SBWhat 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, 6 February 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
This small, homely and welcoming pre-school offers children exciting opportunities to play and learn, both indoors and outdoors. The staff take great care to ensure the environment is fully inclusive and quality resources are readily available for children to self-select and initiate their own learning. The ambitious curriculum is designed around what children already know and interests them, and what they need to learn next. The pre-school aspirations of building children's confidence, independence, communication and regulating emotions underpins all activities provided. The management team are committed to provide good-quality teaching and their passion is shared by the team of experienced staff. Children have established strong and trusting bonds with the staff. They happily arrive and are eager to explore the activities on offer, leaving their parents with ease.
Staff speak respectfully to the children and are calm, nurturing and reassuring role models. They have high expectations for the children and praise them for their efforts and when they demonstrate kindness or manners. Therefore, children's behaviour is good. The team invest time getting to know the children and their family before they attend. They are skilful in their interactions with them and have a sound knowledge of how to promote learning opportunities. Children enjoy spontaneous stories and singing. They enjoy cuddles, and huddle in groups as they listen intently to a favourite story.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help children to understand how to take more care of their environment and resources, particularly when they are leading their own play n improve the organisation of transition times to ensure that all children are fully engaged and supported at these times.
- 6 February 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 7 March 2019Good
- 14 May 2018Needs improvement
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Learners
- 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.