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Just Imagine Nursery Group

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About Just Imagine Nursery Group

Just Imagine joined the Family First family in October 2021. Originally a small group of five settings, its strong community culture and commitment to quality made it a natural fit, and the nurseries have continued to flourish ever since.

At the heart of Just Imagine is a simple ethos: Nurture, Care, Inspire. Nursery spaces are thoughtfully designed to offer children a variety of play and learning choices, with practitioners on hand to gently challenge and guide them. Every child is encouraged to develop at their own pace and reach their full potential.

Teaching children the value of care and respect for others is central to the approach. Indoors and out, environments are designed to spark curiosity, from mud kitchens to vegetable gardens and learning hubs. Consistent, high-quality care is delivered across all settings, with safeguarding always a priority. Every Just Imagine nursery upholds our Family First commitments.

Just Imagine nurseries are located across Essex, serving Colchester, Maldon, Vange and Wickford.

Explore the nurseries below to find out more, and book a tour when you're ready.

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Our curriculums are built around five core commitments

Critical and creative thinkers

Nurturing curiosity and confidence to imagine, test ideas, and solve problems through exploration.

Sense of belonging

Building secure, trusting relationships so every child feels safe, valued, and confident.

Explorers of our world

Connecting children to nature through outdoor experiences that build resilience and independence.

Confident communicators

Supporting every child to express themselves in ways that are meaningful to them.

Happy and healthy

Encouraging physical activity, healthy eating, and joyful experiences that support lifelong wellbeing.

What to expect on your nursery tour

Curious as to what to expect from one of our open house tours, then read on below…

Meet our team

Get to know the people who will care for your child.

Learn about our curriculum

Discover how we support your child's learning and development.

Explore funding options

Find out what financial support may be available to you.

Explore our spaces

See our nursery rooms, outdoor areas, and learning environments.

Book A Tour

Your guide to enrolment

A snapshot of everything you need to know about enrolling your child, from initial enquiry and nursery visit through to securing your place!

Book online through our super simple “book a tour” feature or call 0330 333 1080 to speak to our friendly Customer Experience Team.

Book A Tour

Your tour is tailored to you and your child. You will explore our indoor and outdoor spaces, meet the team, learn about our curriculum and nutrition, and more, and have all your questions answered.

Our Customer Experience Team will be in touch to answer any questions and talk through next steps when you are ready.

When you are ready, we will send your enrolment form and payment links and guide you through this process. Once completed, your child's place is confirmed.

A few weeks before your child is due to start we will be back in touch with you to book your child's settling in sessions.

Our promises kept through parents words

8.1

Review Score for

22 reviews

Day Nurseries Logo

February 23, 2026

Review of

My son goes here for 2years and this nursery beats expectations.. the oure live and care shows and what they have done to help my son is amazing.. thankful beyond words my son is so excited to come into nursery

Lisamarie A

March 26, 2024

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A lovely nursery! My little boy has been going since November 2023 and loves his days there. They provide a lovely environment, and you can tell all staff take their time to learn the children's personalities. They are also good at creating exciting activities indoors and out.

S B

March 26, 2024

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All three of my children have gone to this nursery, and I couldn’t be prouder of the choice I made! All the lovely staff have helped my children massively! If you think about sending your children, please do, they are outstanding.

B J

March 26, 2024

Review of

This nursery has been perfect for my little boy; he always enjoys going and always has the best day. Their menu for the children is always great, and they do a lot of activities with the children, including little trips that he enjoys. Every day he attends, the staff lets me know how he’s got on and what he’s been up to. I’m so glad I picked this nursery for him, his development is coming on perfectly.

M H

March 26, 2024

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I have two boys who go to Just Imagine Nursery Colchester, and the joy they get from being there is heartwarming. The staff are so dedicated to making their time spent there fun and varied every day, from baby room to pre-school. My boys have made treasured friendships at the nursery and even consider the staff as their best friends! Both of my boys are advancing really well with all their learning and social skills, and love taking part in the activities, from baking to space adventures! The garden at Just Imagine is fantastic with many varying activities for the children to do in all weather. I couldn't praise all the staff at Just Imagine enough, as a working mum, it makes it so much easier when I know how well cared for and looked after my boys are.

A A

March 26, 2024

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I am very happy with Just Image Nursery Colchester. My grandson has had difficulties to accommodate with other nurseries before, but here he has integrated very well, and he is feeling happy and confident now. Many thanks to one lady who was very caring with him (when he was in the beginning baby room) she helped him to feel safe and loved as at home. Many thanks to all of the staff.

Nicoleta P

March 26, 2024

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Outstanding nursery! My daughter is thriving attending Just imagine Colchester. The staff are truly wonderful. They always provide us with information regarding her day at nursery, and update us on her learning via parent meetings, observations or daily reports. The staff are warm and welcoming aswell as the nursery setting itself being a homily environment. I would highly recommend it to any family or friend. Thank you for everything you do.

D B

March 26, 2024

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Before putting my daughter in Just Imagine, we tried multiple childminders and nurseries, but she wouldn’t settle. Upon the first settling-in session, I knew this would be the nursery for her; she loved the atmosphere and the staff immediately. She’s gone from nonverbal to speaking sentences and finally playing with other children, making friends and memories. She can’t wait to get through the door at drop-off, and all she does is talk about going to see two particular members of staff when she is off! Lovely nursery, thank you.

Keeleigh H

March 26, 2024

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Absolutely love the nursery. They have proper bought out my child’s creative side, and seeing her make so many friends is amazing. The staff are fantastic, and the rooms are always clean. My child always loves to come to nursery.

R J

March 26, 2024

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Ever since I put my daughter in this nursery, the team and manager have made her feel very welcome and also me very welcome. They have given me so much support regarding my situation over the last couple of months, and I couldn’t thank them enough. Highly recommend the nursery, and the best one, without a doubt.

F S

April 14, 2022

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We are happy with the overall nursery performance. I am glad to see the development in my child with respect to her socialising skills and learning skills. I am happy to send my child every day to nursery now.

Usha K

April 11, 2022

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My son has been at the nursery since he was 10-months-old (he’s now 3-years-old), and I have never had any problems with the nursery or staff. The staff are so happy and welcoming. I always feel my son is happy and safe with them. Having seen the new changes to the nursery design, I am very grateful that my son goes there; it feels very homely and there are lots to do. The garden is amazing, so much for little ones to explore and learn. The sensory room is fantastic; I can understand why my son enjoys being in there. I always know my son is well cared for, and I couldn’t wish for a better place for him to be looked after and start his journey in his early year's education. The team are just fantastic!

Marie N

April 11, 2022

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The whole team are wonderful and feels like extended family, who really have the best interest and tailored care for all children under their care. I do not worry about leaving my child in their care; they have helped my child to develop more emotionally and socially than in the previous care setting that was attended. Staff are attentive, have good communication amongst each other, key persons are chosen by who the child naturally goes to, and it's so nice to see my child have a bond with someone who gives them the care they need and professional love and support whilst in their care. Staff truly take time to know each child in their care.

L P

April 11, 2022

Review of

Just Imagine is the best nursery that I've come across. My son is 16-months old and absolutely loves going to the nursery; he is so excited when I tell him in the morning that he's going to nursery. The changes they have made just recently are amazing; the garden has a lovely sized outside area where they've done it up with a mud kitchen, musical instruments, sand and water play as welll as a construction site for the children to build and explore. My recent experience with parent's meeting was lovely; it was the first time of being able to go in and look around properly since Covid-19 happened. It was lovely to meet my son's key person and see how he's getting on; he's developed so much physically and verbally. She is such a lovely lady, she explained everything to me in much more detail than I even knew. I'm so happy with the nursery as a whole and the other children and staff members that work there looking after our children. Thank you for making childcare a breeze.

L H

April 11, 2022

Review of

Recently had a parents meeting at the nursery, and the staff were kind enough to provide a tour as well as an update on my child's development. The attitudes of the guys here are amazing. They're accommodating, friendly and cheerful. My child has developed at incredible speed since attending the nursery and absolutely loves being there. The facilities are brilliant, as are the people, who really strive to provide a nurturing and generally lovely environment. Couldn't recommend them enough!

Lisa C

March 5, 2022

Review of

Had to move my children for financial reasons from another nursery. Not only does this nursery cost less, but the staff are lovely. My daughter can be shy and apprehensive, and I really worried about moving her; however, she has started to settle already after just six 2-hour sessions. It was my son's first time at nursery following maternity leave, and he loves it; he’s so content. I most love that the nursery is child-led; they do what they feel like doing rather than being forced to do activities they aren’t in the mood for. I feel children learn better this way when they are enjoying the art of learning through play. Can’t wait to see what my children achieve and how they grow being here.

Crystal R

February 28, 2022

Review of

Choosing a nursery amongst an active pandemic was not easy, especially as a first time Mum, but the staff at Just Imagine made me feel so comfortable and allowed me to take the time in asking all the questions I needed, so I knew from the early stages it was going to be the right nursery for us. It was one of the few nurseries local to us as well that offered a large unoverlooked outside garden, which the team take full advantage of in all reasonable weather, meaning the kids get plenty of fresh air and exercise through play. My daughter also suffers from a milk allergy, which the team have all been so alert with. The policies and procedures they have in place put my daughter's safety first but also ensures she isn’t separated when eating and isn’t made to feel excluded. But best of all, my daughter loves to go; she talks about her friends and her teachers all the time and has never been upset when I’ve dropped her at the door and is always smiling when I collect her to go home!

C W

February 23, 2022

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My daughter is in the potty training stage, and I must say, she’s improved greatly, and I know part of the reason is the patience and care given at the nursery. Also, being able to now view some of the activities that go on at the nursery via the log is very encouraging as it gives a sense of being there and a knowledge of what can be replicated at home.

Catherine E

February 18, 2022

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My child has been attending this nursery since she was crawling and is now two and a half. The staff are fantastic and always go the extra mile. The facilities are perfect in both the baby and older downstairs room with a variety of different engaging activities and areas set up. It is a small nursery with a real homely feel, and my daughter always eats extra food too!

Lauren J

February 18, 2022

Review of

Happy and friendly environment Staff are lovely and caring. Nothing is ever too much and are so helpful when I have questions about my child. My child comes home from nursery in such a good mood, he can’t wait to go back!

Holly W

February 18, 2022

Review of

Extraordinary nursery - happy we chose this for our son -great staff and management. We had a bit of a tearful start but was always encouraged and helped by all members of staff and management. Our son developed great there and enjoys going to nursery. I kindly recommend it to everyone!

Maria B

January 23, 2019

Review of

Honestly can’t recommend this nursery enough. My little boy has autism and sensory needs and the nursery have been so supportive not just to my son but for me too. The girls are so lovely and so hardworking and so understanding, the nursery is clean, homely welcoming place with so much stuff for the children to do such a great nursery that I would recommend 100% all day every day! My little boy as come along way since starting this nursery and couldn’t thank the girls enough!

Charlotte R