Business Details
23 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Expert Child Care Services in Kelvedon Hatch, Essex
Established in 2003, Hopscotch Day Nursery has been dedicated to providing high-quality childcare in a safe, stimulating environment within the grounds of Kelvedon Hatch Primary School. Our nursery caters to children aged 3 months to 11 years, offering three dedicated rooms for different age groups and an out-of-school club for older children. With a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, we empower children to explore, create, and develop resilience through self-directed play and structured activities. Our experienced, qualified staff prioritise individual routines, ensuring continuity between home and nursery while fostering strong parent partnerships.Every room provides access to our secure, all-weather garden, which serves as an extension of the classroom. We offer flexible session options, including breakfast, after-school, and holiday clubs, to accommodate working families' needs. Our policies align with statutory requirements, ensuring inclusivity, safeguarding, and health promotion. Regular training maintains staff expertise in early years development, while transparent communication keeps parents informed of their child's progress. We take pride in creating a nurturing space where children build confidence, relationships, and foundational skills for lifelong learning.
Services
Caterpillars (3-24 months)
Butterflies (2-3 years)
Rainbows (3-5 years)
After School Club
Holiday Club
Forest Sessions
Swimming (Summer Term)
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- Established in 2003 with proven expertise in early years education
- Award-winning outdoor learning environment used year-round
- Experienced staff with specialist training in child development
- Flexible 7:30am6pm weekday sessions and emergency care provision
- Secure rural setting with strong safeguarding policies and parent partnerships
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
- Pre-school Learning Alliance
- Early Years Development Officers
What people say
Secure traffic-free location
Experienced qualified team
Excellent outdoor facilities
Emergency care option available
Strong parent partnerships
Services
Caterpillars (3-24 months)
Our Caterpillars room provides specialist care for infants and toddlers up to two years old. With a 1:3 staff ratio, we follow individual routines for feeding, sleeping, and play while introducing sensory activities and early mark-making skills. Daily outdoor exploration in weather-appropriate clothing encourages physical development, complemented by a dedicated indoor space with age-specific resources. Parents collaborate with key workers to ensure continuity between home and nursery routines.
Butterflies (2-3 years)
The Butterflies room supports children transitioning to structured learning through play-based activities. Our Early Years Foundation Stage framework introduces basic numeracy, colour recognition, and social skills while continuing potty-training support. Daily garden access encourages physical coordination, with staff guiding safe risk-taking through climbing frames and construction play. Morning and afternoon snacks feature fresh fruit and hydration stations available throughout the day.
Rainbows (3-5 years)
Our Rainbows room prepares children for primary school through EYFS-guided learning and free play. Activities include cooking projects, sensory exploration, and early literacy/phonics sessions. The 1:8 staff ratio enables individualised support for developing fine motor skills through mark-making and creative play. Children access outdoor resources daily, building confidence through climbing, cycling, and collaborative construction projects using planks and crates.
After School Club
The Out of School Club provides flexible care for children aged 4-11 attending local schools. Afternoon sessions include tea service at 4pm, followed by art, crafts, and homework assistance. Emergency care options accommodate unexpected delays, with staff qualified to handle collection logistics. Daily outdoor time in our secure playground encourages active play while fostering relationships between different age groups.
Holiday Club
Our Holiday Club offers structured activities for school-aged children during term breaks. Sessions feature themed arts, woodwork projects, and outdoor adventures in our extensive garden. The service extends to children from surrounding schools, maintaining safety through risk-assessed play environments. Emergency care provision ensures reliable childcare for working families when regular school provision isn't available.
Questions
What are your operating hours for regular childcare?
We operate 7:30am–6pm weekdays all year except bank holidays. Session options include full days, AM/PM blocks, and school-day schedules to suit working families.
Do you accept childcare vouchers?
Yes, we accept vouchers from Computer Voucher Services, Edenred, Sodexo, Busy Bees, and Bravo Benefits to help manage childcare costs.
How do you support toilet training?
We provide all nappies and wipes while working collaboratively with parents. Staff maintain consistent routines between home and nursery, offering encouragement and specialist resources for successful toilet training.
What outdoor activities are available?
Our all-weather garden features climbing frames, construction materials, bikes, and sensory play areas. Children choose between indoor/outdoor play daily, with staff facilitating safe risk-taking and physical development.
What happens if I need emergency childcare?
Registered families can access emergency care when available, provided we receive advance notice for collection arrangements. This service accommodates unexpected delays like transport issues or meeting overruns.
How does funding work for eligible families?
We administer government childcare funding schemes. Parents should apply through childcarechoices.gov.uk by August 31st for September eligibility, with nursery support for form completion.
Reviews (2)
Amber Nash
May 28, 2021
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My little girl who is just over a year old started at Hopscotch Nursery last month, she goes in one day a week in which she absolutely LOVES!! She is one of the youngest there but gets so much attention by all staff! I must say Laura and the team are so friendly and professional, they keep me updated with Tapestry constantly which keeps my mind at… eas. They do so many lovely activities with my girl that she loves. I new from the moment I stepped into Hopscotch that this was the nursery my girl would love, we haven’t looked back since. To all the staff at Hopscoth Thank you for all
James Hart
Dec 23, 2020
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Our daughter has been attending for a little while now and she loves the Nursery. The staff and the facilities are amazing. feedback regarding our daughter and her development are brilliant. We will be sending our son when he is old enough.
