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Chestnut House Kindergarten
A nurturing and creative environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn through play
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We’re here for you Mon - Fri: 07:00 - 18:30
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About Chestnut House Kindergarten
Chestnut House Kindergarten is an OFSTED GOOD (2025) nursery in Colchester, close to the town centre and easy to reach for local families. Established for over 20 years, our setting offers a calm, welcoming environment, with a strong focus on personal and social development so children can build confidence, friendships and a real sense of belonging.
Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage through play-based experiences that feel purposeful and engaging. These may include stories, early language, creative activities, problem-solving play and gentle opportunities for independence as children grow.
Outdoor exploration is woven into nursery life, with a large garden that offers space for movement, fresh air and imaginative play. Children may also enjoy time in a dedicated nature garden, including planting and growing activities that help them learn about the world in a hands-on way.
Our diverse team brings a range of early years knowledge, supporting children’s needs with care and consistency.
Could Chestnut House Kindergarten be the calm, caring start your child deserves? Book a tour today and come and see the setting in person.
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Nursery Facilities
Discover the facilities available at our nursery and how they support your child's care, learning, and development.
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Buggy Store
A dedicated space to safely store your buggy during the day, making drop-off and pick-up easier and hassle-free.
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Our Nursery Fees
We understand how important it is to have a clear picture of the costs associated with your child's care. Our fee sheet is designed to be transparent and straightforward, so please click below and take your time to look through it.
You can also learn more about fees and funding options on our dedicated pages Fees and funding page
If you have any questions at all, please do get in touch. We are always happy to talk things through with you.
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Nutritional Approach
We believe food is fundamental to healthy growth, happy minds, and positive lifelong habits. In the earliest years, what children eat shapes taste preferences, supports brain development, and lays the foundations for long-term health.
All meals are freshly prepared on site each day using quality, seasonal ingredients. Our menus are developed with expert guidance, designed for inclusion, and go beyond Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. We want every child to become a confident, curious eater.
Meet Our Nursery Manager
Kelly Lamb
Hello, I'm Kelly, the manager at Chestnut House Kindergarten. I've been working in childcare since 1998 and joined the nursery in 2005 when we first opened. I hold my NNEB, Level 4 in early years, and Level 5 in management.
I was employed as a practitioner at my last student placement and worked my way up to room leader and senior roles at other local settings. When I joined Chestnut House, I started as deputy manager for two years before becoming manager.
My approach centres on making sure children feel safe and secure so they have the confidence to explore and flourish. When children feel emotionally settled, they're free to learn, play, and develop at their own pace.
What I love most is seeing the children grow and move on to school as confident, capable individuals, ready for the next stage of their journey.
What to Expect on Your Nursery Tour
Our Next Open Day
of March:
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Meet our friendly team
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Learn about our curriculum
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Explore funding options
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Explore our rooms and areas
Our Commitments
Our curriculum is built around five core commitments that guide how we nurture every child.
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Critical And Creative Thinkers
Nurturing curiosity and confidence to imagine, test ideas, and solve problems through exploration.
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Sense of Belonging
Building secure, trusting relationships so every child feels safe, valued, and confident.
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Explorers of Our World
Connecting children to nature through outdoor experiences that build resilience and independence.
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Confident Communicators
Supporting every child to express themselves in ways that are meaningful to them. |
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Happy and Healthy
Encouraging physical activity, healthy eating, and joyful experiences that support lifelong wellbeing. |
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Our Curriculum
Our curriculum focuses on four key areas that support children's growth and wellbeing. We explore healthy eating, healthy choices, exercise and personal care, helping children become healthy and confident individuals.
Children learn about communication, from eye contact and body language to group conversations. They develop respect for themselves, others and the world around them, which may include caring for our nursery pets or learning about recycling.
We encourage children to be expressive and creative, exploring how they feel and experiencing a wide variety of activities and resources, including music and movement.
What Parents Say About Us
Review Score for Review Score for Family First Day Nursery
9 reviews
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