St. Peter's Nursery
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Halstead for children from birth to 5, 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 They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask.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 May 2023. Open since 2015, with 26 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
CO9 3NRWhat 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, 23 May 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children explore an inviting and well-resourced play environment, both indoors and outdoors. The children take calculated risks and learn how to manage their own safety as they navigate the hills and steps in the woodland garden. Staff are always nearby to help when children need their support. Children excitedly look for bugs and collect them in magnifying pots and use books to enhance their knowledge of their habitats. Children are inquisitive and keen to learn. They develop critical thinking skills and explore the deeper meaning of the stories they hear. For example, children recall the story they have just read and discuss the emotions of the characters and the reasons behind them.
Children develop high levels of self-esteem. They approach visitors with confidence, ask questions and tell them about what they are doing. Children are continually developing good levels of independence. For example, they cut up fruit and help to wash plates and cups after snack time. Children lead their own learning. The variety of resources provided helps them to independently develop their creativity.
For instance, children have plenty of mark-making opportunities and draw different characters, making up stories together. Children enjoy making flower-petal teas and potions.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help staff to recognise when less-confident children are not fully engaged so that they can encourage them to join in more purposeful play.
- 23 May 2023Good
- 31 October 2017Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for St. Peter's 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.