Tiddlywinks Day Nursery & Pre School

In January 2025, painted ice, a cardboard tractor and children choosing their own library books gave Tiddlywinks its character: practical play with room for children's ideas. Based at Springfield Parish Centre in Chelmsford, it has capacity for 42 children.

At its January 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall and found that its curriculum followed children's interests and their next learning steps. Children attending then were aged two to four. At that inspection, Tiddlywinks operated as a pack-away nursery, making the organisation of its play spaces an important part of its daily operation.

In January 2025, seasonal learning became something children could handle and investigate. They painted ice outdoors and explained why it melted inside. A large cardboard box became a tractor, with children cutting decorations and using tape to assemble their model. These examples show how children's ideas shaped activities rather than simply filling time.

The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, its everyday expression in January 2025 included counting construction bricks, comparing quantities and exploring volume through water play. Building towers also brought positional words into conversation, connecting mathematical language with something children were making.

Books offered choice as well as stories. In January 2025, children visited the library frequently, selected books and voted for a story to share as a group. Outdoors, painting on a garden wall added another surface for making marks; clipboards and whiteboards brought writing into play.

At the January 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged that children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, made good progress from their individual starting points.

In January 2025, settling sessions were adapted to children's needs, with staff spending time getting to know their families. Children had close relationships with their key person and asked for help during activities. Calm, respectful conversations gave them a clear example of how to treat others.

Observation informed requests for early support where children needed it. Staff also described encouragement for their professional development and opportunities to contribute ideas. Preparation for school included managing bathroom routines with help nearby, putting on outdoor clothing and practising name writing: useful independence built through ordinary tasks.

The address is Springfield Parish Centre, St. Augustine Way, Chelmsford, CM1 6GX.

In January 2025, opening hours were 8.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The nursery also provided funded early education for eligible children at that time. These are dated operating arrangements, so families planning attendance should use the question below to establish whether the pattern fits their needs.

• Conversation and independent thinking. In January 2025, staff introduced vocabulary, signs and songs, but questioning did not consistently encourage children to reason or solve problems themselves. During a visit, look for questions that invite children to explain their ideas.
• Term-time planning. January 2025 opening hours covered weekdays during term time. What attendance patterns and funded-hours arrangements would apply to your child now?

Tiddlywinks merits consideration for families drawn to child-led construction, books and practical preparation for school. Its January 2025 provision suited families seeking term-time daytime care for children aged two to four. The clearest improvement priority was sharper questioning, helping children move from describing an activity to thinking through it independently.