Roxwell Pre-school
GoodBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Chelmsford for children from birth to 8+, 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 July 2022. Open since 1992, 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
CM1 4PAWhat 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, 4 July 2022 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children are welcomed extremely warmly on arrival at the pre-school. This helps them feel valued and creates a very positive start to their day. All the children are excited to go on one of their daily walks to explore the world around them.
Because the pre-school is an important part of the local community, children are frequently greeted by passers-by and neighbours, nurturing a true sense of belonging. Residents from the village visit the pre-school to provide children with broader experiences that enhance the curriculum, including music sessions and gardening.
Children develop a real understanding of how to stay safe. They know they must not approach unknown dogs and should walk carefully to avoid the stinging nettles.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- support staff to understand the importance of always modelling the correct pronunciation of words.
- 4 July 2022Good
- 15 March 2016Outstanding
- 24 May 2011Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Roxwell 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.