Best nurseries in Highwoods
5 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in Colchester, 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).
| # | Nursery | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brinkley Lane Day Nursery School Full day care · 54 places · CO4 9XN | Outstanding (2025) |
| 2 | Busy Bees Day Nursery at Colchester Severalls Business Park Full day care · 106 places · CO4 9AS | Report card: 5 strong (Feb 2026) |
| 3 | Squirrels Pre-School Full day care · 26 places · CO4 9SR | Good (2025) |
| 4 | Yellow Brick Rd Nursery Highwoods Sessional day care · 22 places · CO4 9YN | Good (2025) |
| 5 | Humpty Dumpty Pre-School (Colchester) Sessional day care · 26 places · CO4 9GF | Good (2022) |
How much does nursery cost in Highwoods?
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.
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 Highwoods?
Of 5 nurseries and pre-schools in Highwoods, 2 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Brinkley Lane Day Nursery School, Busy Bees Day Nursery at Colchester Severalls Business Park, Squirrels Pre-School.
How much does nursery cost in Highwoods?
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 Highwoods?
5 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 5 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Colchester · Mersea · Mile End · Braiswick · Greenstead · Marks Tey
Neighbourhoods
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.