Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

A nurturing and creative environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn through play

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Hawthorn Ave, via, Acacia Ave, Colchester, CO4 3JN

Mon - Fri: 07:00 - 18:00

Age: 0 - 60 months

Fee table

Open Day: Sat 20 Jun

About Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester is an OFSTED OUTSTANDING (2022) nursery on Hawthorne Avenue, in a beautiful converted house on Colchester Academy grounds. The nursery offers a familiar home-from-home environment at the heart of the community for children aged 3 months to 5 years. A passionate team ensures individual needs are met through child-led play, with strong parent partnerships providing daily support and updates.
Children explore natural curiosity with a broad range of activities and resources in calming rooms with neutral schemes. Experiences may include sensory play, creative projects and opportunities shaped by their interests.
Each room (babies, toddlers, pre-school) has its own lovely garden, with free-flow access for toddlers and pre-school. Outdoor play supports physical development and imagination in secure spaces.
The community-based nursery may offer funded term-time options, local outings (library, park, shop) and parent workshops on healthy eating or exercise.
Could Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester be the right community-focused home for your child? Book a tour today and see the house and gardens.

Nursery Facilities

Discover the facilities available at our nursery and how they support your child's care, learning, and development.

Buggy Store

A dedicated space to safely store your buggy during the day, making drop-off and pick-up easier and hassle-free.

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.

Our Fees

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.

Our Menu

Meet Our Nursery Manager

Clare Sturtivent

I joined the nursery in September 2025 and have been working in childcare for just over 14 years. I hold a Level 3 Diploma in Childcare, which has given me a strong foundation in supporting children’s development and wellbeing.

My approach to childcare is centred around creating a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to explore and learn at their own pace. I am passionate about bridging the gap to ensure that every child, no matter their background, has the same opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

I love working in childcare because it is incredibly rewarding to be part of each child’s journey, helping them build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love for learning.

What to Expect on Your Nursery Tour

Our Next Open Day

Saturday 20th of June:9am-1pm

Meet our friendly team

Learn about our curriculum

Explore funding options

Explore our rooms and areas

Our Commitments

Our curriculum is built around five core commitments that guide how we nurture every child.

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.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum has four areas that guide children's learning. We practice being independent by trying new things on our own, looking after our toys and resources, and making our own choices. We support making relationships by playing and sharing kindly, listening to each other and working together on activities and challenges.

Children express themselves by creating art and music, using their words to share their feelings and sharing what they enjoy outside of nursery. We show care and respect by helping our peers if they are sad, helping to tidy up our room before mealtimes, watering our plants in our veggie patch and litter picking in our local area.

What Parents Say About Us

8.1

Review Score for Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

22 reviews

February 23, 2026

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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 Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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 Day Nursery - Colchester

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 Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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 Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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 Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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

Review of Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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 Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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 Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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 Just Imagine Day Nursery - Colchester

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