The Chase Kirby
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Frinton on Sea for children from birth to 8+, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in December 2023. Open since 2015, with 30 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
CO13 0LWWhat 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, 14 December 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff warmly welcome children as they arrive at nursery. They have created childfriendly, interesting, and inspiring environments both indoors and outdoors for children to learn. High quality resources are easily accessible to ensure access for all children. Children initiate their own play fully supported. The curriculum is child led and planned around the children's interests. Children happily arrive at the nursery, excited and eager to start their day and investigate the activities provided.
They settle quickly, leaving their parents with ease. Children receive support and praise from the attentive caring staff. An effective key-person system is in place. It is evident children have established close bonds with their key person and confidently seek help or reassurance when needed. Children's behaviour is good.
Children demonstrate they feel safe and secure and are inquisitive, confident learners. They make choices as to where they want to play, and relish time outdoors. Staff are skilful in their interactions with them. They teach children the skills they need to be independent learners. Staff help with transitions, such as moving rooms or going to school. The provision of planned activities and resources along with a strong focus on children's well-being, mean children learn how to express and understand their feelings and regulate their emotions.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- improve the organisation of routines, such as nappy changing and focused activities, to ensure children's play is uninterrupted n plan more opportunities within the curriculum to challenge children's thinking to consistently build on what they already know and can do.
- 14 December 2023Good
- 13 March 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Chase Kirby
- 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.