Little Pals Children's Centre Nursery Limited
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Clacton-On-Sea 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 May 2022. Open since 2014, with 24 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
CO15 2EXWhat 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, 13 May 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are warmly greeted by a member of staff at the front door of the nursery.
They confidently separate from their parent and enter, excited to see their friends.
Younger children often hug a member of staff on arrival, demonstrating their close relationships. Children are confident as they quickly find their favourite resource and happily engage with the familiar routines of the day. Children thoroughly enjoy showing their friends their photos on the family tree display, proudly explaining who people are. Older children are very nurturing towards younger children when they come together; they help them to join in with their games.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- reflect on and revise the routines of the day so that all children remain actively engaged n ensure a consistent approach to supporting children to regulate their own behaviour.
- 13 May 2022Good
- 12 August 2016Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Pals Children's Centre Nursery Limited
- 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.