SchoolsInfo

Best nurseries in Chelmer

6 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in Chelmsford, best Ofsted result first: the latest report card or overall grade, then the most recent inspection. Childminders are not listed (Ofsted does not publish their addresses).

6
nurseries and pre-schools
3
Outstanding or mostly strong
352
registered places
#NurseryOfsted
1Hurst Court Day Nursery School
Full day care · 60 places · CM2 6BP
Outstanding (2025)
2Busy Bees At Springfield Chelmsford
Full day care · 102 places · CM2 6BN
Outstanding (2024)
3The Ark Centre
Sessional day care · 6 places · CM2 5LB
Outstanding (2023)
4Springboard Pre-School
Sessional day care · 25 places · CM2 6EB
Good (2025)
5Buttercup Montessori Kindergarten Ltd
Full day care · 119 places · CM2 5PX
Good (2023)
6Rainbow Pre-School
Full day care · 40 places · CM2 6RF
Good (2021)

How much does nursery cost in Chelmer?

Typical weekly nursery prices for a child under two in East of England, from the Coram Childcare Survey 2026. A guide only: ask each nursery for its own fees.

Part-time, 25 hours a week
£192 a week
without funded hours (England £189)
Full-time, 50 hours a week
£155 a week
after 30 funded hours (England £149)

Working parents in England can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from when their child is 9 months old, so a 25-hour place can cost little or nothing in term time. Every 3 and 4 year old gets at least 15 funded hours. Funded hours cover 38 weeks a year; nurseries can charge for extra hours, meals and activities. Check what you can get at Childcare Choices.

Questions

What are the best nurseries in Chelmer?

Of 6 nurseries and pre-schools in Chelmer, 3 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Hurst Court Day Nursery School, Busy Bees At Springfield Chelmsford, The Ark Centre.

How much does nursery cost in Chelmer?

In East of England, a part-time place (25 hours a week) for a child under two typically costs £192 a week without funded hours (Coram Childcare Survey 2026). Working parents can get 30 funded hours a week in term time from 9 months.

How many nurseries are there in Chelmer?

6 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 6 of them inspected so far.

Nurseries nearby

Chelmsford · Runwell · South Woodham Ferrers · Danbury · Writtle · Great Baddow · Moulsham · Springfield · Boreham · Great Leighs · Rettendon

Neighbourhoods

Chelmer Village

Source: Ofsted early years inspections. Ofsted's report card (from November 2025) grades curriculum, achievement, behaviour, children's welfare and leadership as exceptional, strong, expected, needs attention or urgent improvement; earlier inspections gave one overall grade.