Little Tots Nursery
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A day nursery in Wickford for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in August 2025. Open since 2017, with 31 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
SS12 9NRWhat 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, 5 August 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff have developed warm and trusting relationships with children, and they know their key children well. They are sensitive to babies' needs and alert to their cues.
Staff recognise when they are tired and allow them to rest when needed. As a result, babies feel safe and secure. Staff provide older children with regular constructive praise and encouragement, helping them understand what they did well. This encourages a growth mindset and builds confidence and motivation.
Children thrive in a stimulating learning environment filled with opportunities for exploration. The curriculum is carefully tailored to support each child's unique developmental needs, with a strong emphasis on communication and language. It is thoughtfully designed to foster language development through rich, engaging experiences. Staff plan meaningful activities that enhance vocabulary through storytelling, imaginative play, songs, rhymes and the consistent modelling of new language. For example, stories are brought to life through expressive delivery, sparking curiosity and encouraging children to actively participate and discuss characters and events.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- review the organisation of group sessions to maximise children's focus and sustained participation.
- 5 August 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 6 January 2020Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Little Tots 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.