Best nurseries in Wickford
9 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools in Basildon, 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 | Salcott Crescent Day Nursery School Full day care · 71 places · SS12 9NR | Outstanding (2022) |
| 2 | Little Tots Nursery Full day care · 31 places · SS12 9NR | Good (2025) |
| 3 | Zebedee Pre-School Sessional day care · 32 places · SS11 8QZ | Good (2024) |
| 4 | Peter Pan Preschool Full day care · 26 places · SS12 0AG | Good (2023) |
| 5 | Just Imagine Day Nursery - Wickford Ltd Full day care · 86 places · SS12 0AN | Good (2022) |
| 6 | Playdays Full day care · 50 places · SS12 9GP | Good (2022) |
| 7 | Growing Minds Wickford Full day care · SS11 8QS | Not yet inspected |
| 8 | One Step Ahead (Essex) Limited Sessional day care · 30 places · SS12 0QG | Not yet inspected |
| 9 | Stagecoach Wickford Sessional day care · SS11 8LY | Not yet inspected |
How much does nursery cost in Wickford?
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 Wickford?
Of 9 nurseries and pre-schools in Wickford, 1 have Ofsted's top results (Outstanding, or mostly strong or exceptional on the new report card). Listed first: Salcott Crescent Day Nursery School, Little Tots Nursery, Zebedee Pre-School.
How much does nursery cost in Wickford?
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 Wickford?
9 Ofsted-registered nurseries and pre-schools, 6 of them inspected so far.
Nurseries nearby
Basildon · Billericay · Laindon · Lee Chapel · Barstable · Fremnells · Kingswood · Southfields · Sunnymede
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.