Colchester
Opening Times
Full day care from 6 weeks to 12 years: Monday – Friday 7am to 7pm
Ages
Our rooms are split up into 3 different age groups to offer the best level of care and learning for their age.
Across all rooms within the nursery the staff will provide a variety of activities that will encourage your child’s development. The main principle of the nursery is that children learn through play.
Daisies is our room for children 6 weeks to walking. We can have 3 members of staff in this room looking after 9 babies.
Staff within the room have good experience with this age group and are able to settle each child into nursery so they are happy in the home from home environment we offer. We discuss in detail with each parent their babies routine, as we understand that each baby has their own routine at home, which we follow whilst they settle and then gradually integrate them into the nursery routine as they get older.
The children are provided with activities that encourage and promote their development in all areas with staff giving their undivided attention to enable all children to develop at their own pace. Our aim is to provide a friendly and caring atmosphere in a homely environment.
We cater for up to 16 toddlers/children between the ages of 2-3 years old, This room is a stimulating environment for the children to learn and develop skills through following The Early Years Foundation Stage.
There are 4 members of familiar staff in this room looking after the children and creating bonds with them from when they first start. The children in this room are provided with a variety of activities for them to learn and play, these activities are structured to develop your child’s independence, confidence and self-worth in an environment that is both safe and stimulating.
Children are encouraged to form friendships and begin to understand how to socially interact with others. The staff aim to develop the children to their full potential at a pace that Is suitable to the child, with consideration given to the parent’s wishes.
We are lucky enough to have 2 rooms for our children aged 3-5. Our sunflowers room is downstairs, and has 3 members of full time staff looking after 20 children.
Our Daffodils room is upstairs and has 2 members of full time staff looking after 16 children. We encourage each child to be independent whilst at nursery whilst always being available to support and guide them. We have a more structured day for our children in 3-5s, but still give them the choices of where they want to play, and what with.
We feel that learning through play and choosing their own interests is a wonderful way to learn, and this is always encouraged. The children are able to visit local parks, the library and go for walks whilst at nursery.
Communication, Language and Literacy – picture books, puzzles, games, name recognition, mark-making, drawing, modelling, reading and writing etc
Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy – Water play, abacus, tills and money, puzzles, magnetic numbers, tape measures and magnets etc
Personal, Social and Emotional – Home corner – dolls and prams, dressing up, play kitchen and utensils, food, group games, small world play, children’s choice etc
Knowledge and Understanding of the World – Puzzles, books, maps, weatherboard, tactile play, construction, etc
Physical – Bikes, hoops, parachute, balls, threading, pegs and boards, music movement, dance, cutting etc
Creative – Messy play, sand, play dough, painting, glueing, easel, music, props and make-believe etc.
The activities are structured to develop your child’s independence, confidence and self-worth in an environment that is both safe and stimulating.
What you need to know
If you want to find out more information about are nurseries, please click the buttons below.
Fee structure
The nursery places we cater for on Monday to Friday are full time, part time, shifts and sessions which run from 7am – 1pm or 1pm – 7pm. Additional hours may be added to sessions.
We offer affordable, flexible childcare designed for individual family’s requirements.
Please speak with the nursery manager when you visit the nursery for further information.
We also offer 2, 3 and 4 year old funded sessions and give discounts for siblings, NHS workers and military personnel (proof required).
Our Healthy Meals
All children’s dietary needs are taken into consideration when planning our weekly menu. A vegetarian alternative is always available, as is specific requirements, for example allergies or religion. The nursery has set meal and snack times for each age group.
Our School Clubs
Our Out of School clubs include: Breakfast Club, After School Club and Holiday Club. Our qualified and experienced staff aim to provide new and stimulating experiences whilst caring for your child. We can care for children aged between 4 and 12 years who attend full-time school.
Open at 7am every weekday during the term time.
At our Breakfast Club, you can drop your child at the club between 7:00am – 8:00 am where they will be provided with a breakfast consisting of cereal, toast, fresh fruit and juice.
The children are then escorted to school on foot. We currently take the children to Gosbecks.
Open from 3pm every weekday during the term time.
We currently collect children from Gosbecks at the end of the school day and escort them back to the after school club by foot. We will provide each child with a light tea at 4.30pm (menu is provided) and they can help themselves to drinks and fruit during the session.
Children are offered a wide range of activities including creative, physical, team games, educational, games consoles or the chance to relax with a book or the occasional film night. Staff will support the children with homework and reading.
Discounts are given for siblings attending the same sessions.
Open every day during school holidays from 7am – 7pm.
Staff will endeavour to make your child’s day fun and exciting whilst they are with us. We take the children on outings in our minibus or by public transport, which may incur extra costs.
An activity sheet is always available before the holiday starts. All prices include a hot lunch & light tea and snacks and drinks throughout the day for your children.
Our Colchester Team
The staff we employ are with us because of their genuine love of children.
Megan
Nursery Manager - Lvl 3
Faye
Senior Practitioner - Lvl 3
Emily
Practitioner
Claire C
Practitioner
Kaiya
Senior practitioner - Lvl 3
Tanya
Practitioner
Shelley
Deputy Manager - Lvl 3
Katie
Senior Practitioner - Lvl 3
Imogen
Practitioner - Lvl 2
Bethany
Practitioner
Claire K
Cook - Lvl 3 Hygiene
Charlotte
Third-in-charge - Lvl 3
Terri
Practitioner - Lvl 3
Elysha
Practitioner - Lvl 3
Bayleigh
Practitioner
Katie
Practitioner
Cameron-Ann
Senior Practitioner - Lvl 3
Sophie
Practitioner - Lvl 3
Lucie
Practitioner
Ellise
Practitioner - Lvl 2
Tom
Practitioner
Colchester Gallery
Request a viewing
We’re looking forward to meeting you and answer any questions you might have.
The best way to really appreciate what we have to offer is to visit the nursery, meet our team and to talk through your requirements in person.
Testimonials
They have all been truly remarkable!
I am writing this email so I can in some way express my gratitude for all the hard work, love and care the girls at Colchester have given my little boy ever since he started.
Jude has developed into a confident kind caring little boy. When he comes home all he talks about is his teachers Charlotte and Emily. I can not emphasise enough what an amazing influence these girls have had on Jude.
The past two years have been so uncertain for us all. I can only imagine how scary and worrying it must have been going into work for the girls but not once did they let their feelings show. They have all been truly remarkable. I feel whenever I drop Jude off I am leaving him with family which I feel can be no greater compliment.
Melissa Clarke
Testimonials
Lots of praise and encouragement.
Staff give lots of praise and encouragement during activities, which supports children’s confidence and self-esteem.
Ofsted
Testimonials
We couldn't ask for a better nursery for our son!
Kody has been at Second Steps for 3 months now and we couldn’t be happier with how well he is getting on. He is so excited to go in everyday and comes out with the biggest smile on his face.
All of the ladies are wonderful and will happily sort out any problems or questions we have. Kody has come on leaps and bounds since starting here which is solely down to the enthusiastic and committed staff. We couldn’t ask for a better nursery for our son.
Rebecca Holby
Testimonials
Staff are positive role models.
Staff are positive role models. They join in children’s play, show them how to use equipment and develop their learning by offering ideas.
Ofsted
Testimonials
Second steps environment has been outstanding!
Moving to Colchester as a military family presented challenges of immediate integration into a new environment, especially with a 2 year old and a second on the way! Second steps environment has been outstanding. They have supported Ted throughout the challenges of the pandemic.
Their focus on natural, messy play and the outdoors is exactly what we wanted for Ted and the staff have been outstanding. To single out a few, the manager Megan, deputy manager Shelley and Ted’s initial lead Cameron, whom he chats about endlessly! He has made outstanding friends and gained so much from being there, you will all be missed!
Harry & Sarah Noble
Testimonials
Constantly look at ways to improve their practice.
Managers and room leaders strive to constantly look at ways to improve their practice. They are proactive in implementing changes that help children to make the best possible progress.
Ofsted
Get in touch
Have any questions? We will be happy to provide further details and answer enquiries.
Althorne:
01621 502 258
Burnt Mills:
01268 729 729
Colchester:
01206 545 671
Hanningfield:
01245 914847
Book your nursery visit now.
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