Kidorable Pre School And Childcare Services

Six places in the baby room, direct access to outdoor play and care extending into the school years give Kidorable a practical family appeal. The Courtauld Road setting in Braintree has 54 places in total; the baby-room limit is a separate measure, useful for parents weighing the scale of their youngest child's surroundings.

At its March 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated Kidorable Good, found safeguarding effective and judged that children made good progress, with support tailored to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The detail behind that judgement matters: imaginative play supported conversation, books drew children into predicting stories, and planting activities combined exploration with hand control. There were also two clear weaknesses: missed opportunities to deepen children's thinking and unsettled periods around lunchtime for older children.

Full-time and part-time attendance sit alongside before-school, after-school and holiday care. That breadth is useful for families arranging childcare for children at different stages.

Rooms and Ages

KIDORABLE BABIES accommodates up to six babies aged up to two, with a light, airy room, an adjoining space for meals and messy activities, and a door to outdoor play. Keeping those activities connected to the room gives babies several ways to explore within their own area; outdoor use is a daily aim rather than a guaranteed timetable.

PRE-SCHOOL combines indoor and outdoor activity through an open-door arrangement in a purpose-built building, with toilets and wash basins among its facilities. Games, local activities and day trips broaden the experiences offered to this group. The physical arrangement makes outdoor play part of the preschool offer rather than an occasional excursion away from the setting.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning and care: children develop through play and planned experiences that support their early development. Here, the March 2024 examples give that broad description some substance. Babies searched through hay and woodchips for toy animals, exploring unfamiliar textures through a familiar interest.

During the same month, children watered seeds using pipettes, then explored vegetables through painting and cutting out their pictures. These activities connected observation with careful movements of the hands. Aeroplane role play introduced vocabulary about pilots, while conversations with adults gave older children practice in asking questions and listening to answers. Favourite stories prompted children to anticipate the next part. Learning was embedded in things children wanted to do.

Outdoor and Community Life

School-age care has a small playground and access to a large field behind the premises. Holiday outings include Hatfield Forest, museums and farms, alongside swimming, beach trips and visits to local parks. These belong to the holiday-club offer for older children, rather than the baby or preschool day. For a family choosing school-holiday care, the combination of outdoor space and trips gives a clearer picture than a general promise of activities.

In March 2024, children formed trusting relationships with staff and became comfortable in the setting quickly. Staff celebrated individual achievements through wow star recognition, giving children a moment to take pride in something they had accomplished. The all about me books also encouraged children to discuss their preferences and notice differences between households and traditions.

Everyday interactions carried lessons about wellbeing and consideration for others. During that month, staff discussed dental care, and older children managed turns on the slide while looking out for the child ahead. These were concrete examples of children putting care for others into practice, rather than simply hearing instructions about sharing.

The March 2024 account also described communication that helped parents understand their children's development, alongside sensitive settling arrangements. For families, the useful thread is the connection between a child's experiences in childcare and what parents understand about those experiences at home.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with an extension to 6.15pm by arrangement. Full-time and part-time places are offered, together with care before and after school and during school holidays. In March 2024, the setting operated throughout the year.

The holiday club welcomes children from local schools, with priority given to those attending Kidorable's after-school club. This is a childcare booking rule, rather than a school-admissions advantage. School-age care extends up to age 11.

Getting There

The address is Courtauld Road, Braintree, Essex CM7 9BG. Enquiries can be made through the contact form, by telephone on 01376 553 077 or by email to info@kidorablechildcareservices.co.uk.

Funding and Paid Extras

Government-funded sessions are offered. In March 2024, funded early education covered two-, three- and four-year-olds. Families should obtain current prices in a written quotation from the nursery.

• Thinking during play. In March 2024, adults sometimes missed chances to help children investigate ideas and work out answers during spontaneous play. A visit is an opportunity to discuss how staff now extend a child's own questions.
• Lunchtime for older children. In March 2024, transitions could leave older children restless, with rising noise making engagement harder. Discuss how play and routines now keep this group occupied around meals.
• Baby-room scale. The six-place baby room has its own adjoining activity area and outdoor door. Consider how that arrangement fits your child's preferences for activity and quieter moments.
• Funded attendance and extras. How would funded hours fit your chosen attendance pattern, and which meals and non-food consumables would be included, separately charged or supplied from home?

Kidorable suits families considering full-time or part-time childcare, as well as those needing before-school, after-school or holiday provision for older children. The six-place baby room and connected outdoor space are concrete attractions for the youngest age group; the field and holiday outings serve a different stage of family life.

The March 2024 picture combines engaging play and close relationships with specific weaknesses in extending thinking and organising lunchtime transitions. Those two points deserve attention alongside the practical strengths when deciding whether the setting fits your child.