Mini Marvels Nursery Ltd
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Witham for children from birth to 8+, open sessions in term time, often mornings. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2022. Open since 2015.
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
CM8 1UNWhat 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, 2 November 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are excited and happy as they arrive at the nursery. They are warmly welcomed by attentive, nurturing staff. Children have formed close attachments to their key person and are settled and confident within their environment. They are eager to investigate the activities provided and quickly settle with their friends.
Children receive good interactions from the staff, who know them well. The curriculum is planned around the children's interests and developing needs. The available space and resources are used effectively, and children sustain their motivation to learn. They explore natural materials which engage all their senses.
For example, children have immense fun exploring a variety of natural materials they have previously collected on a 'scavenger hunt'. They discuss pine cones and feathers and make creations using dough. Children recall what they have learned as the staff engage them in meaningful conversation and challenge their thinking.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- plan and provide more opportunities for children to expand their enjoyment of books n develop the curriculum for mathematics and maximise opportunities to teach mathematical skills and concepts.
- 2 November 2022Good
- 7 March 2017Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Mini Marvels Nursery Ltd
- 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.