Munchkins Nursery and Pre School
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Wivenhoe, Colchester for children from birth to 8+, open 09:00 to 17:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in November 2023. Open since 2003, with 44 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
CO7 9ABWhat 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, 28 November 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children thrive in this setting and are highly motivated to join in with the stimulating, hands-on experiences. They are cared for by committed and dedicated practitioners who hold high expectations for children's learning. They provide exciting and enticing learning experiences for children to freely explore and investigate, both inside and outdoors. This sparks children's sense of awe and wonder and provides them with fantastic learning experiences across all areas of development.
Leaders have created an ambitious curriculum that ensures every child has the best possible start to their education. Practitioners have a superb understanding of what each child already knows and what they need to learn next. Practitioners are skilled at knowing when to intervene in children's play and when to stand back and observe. They work closely with parents and other agencies to make sure that all children make excellent progress in their learning and development, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
Practitioners show the utmost respect to children and each other, demonstrating the behaviour that is expected. As a result, children's behaviour is exemplary. They have a high level of regard for their friends. For example, children spend an extended period acting out a story in the garden together. They decide what will happen next. Negotiating harmoniously with each other about the roles they will adopt and the dialogue they will use.
- 28 November 2023Outstanding
- 6 December 2018Good
- 2 November 2015Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Munchkins Nursery and Pre School
- 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.