Business Details
15 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare & Early Education in Chelmsford
Camelot Day Nursery has provided a warm, family-oriented childcare environment since February 2011. Our approach combines personalized care with structured educational programs, ensuring children develop in a safe, stimulating setting. Led by a team with decades of combined experience, including a Level 5 qualified director and fully trained staff, we prioritize individualized attention and strong partnerships with parents. Our facilities feature dedicated baby rooms, sensory spaces, and outdoor play areas designed to foster learning through play. Regular Ofsted inspections confirm our commitment to safeguarding and educational excellence, with tailored support for children with special needs.We offer flexible hours, including early drop-off and late collection, and maintain a 5-star food hygiene rating. Our curriculum aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage, emphasizing creativity, independence, and school readiness. Parent engagement is central to our model, with forums, stay-and-play sessions, and regular communication. Located in Chelmsford, we serve families seeking a home-from-home nursery with professional standards.
Services
Nursery Care
Pre-school Education
Kids Club
Holiday Club
Parent Partnerships
Details
- Year established: 2011
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized care with a family feel in a home-from-home environment
- Our team includes Level 5 and Level 6 qualified professionals with 14+ years' experience
- We maintain a 5-star food hygiene rating and Ofsted-recognized safeguarding standards
- We provide tailored support for children with special educational needs
- We offer flexible hours including early drop-off and late collection options
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Safe and nurturing environment
Excellent staff communication
Dramatic speech development improvements
Flexible and understanding
Creative learning activities
Services
Nursery Care
Our nursery provides specialized care for babies from 3 months in a home-from-home environment. Each child receives personalized attention with assigned keypersons following individual routines. The baby rooms feature sleep areas, sensory play equipment, and a three-stage weaning menu. Staff hold enhanced CRB checks and regular training in safeguarding, first aid, and child development.
Pre-school Education
Our pre-school program prepares children aged 2-5 for school through structured play and educational activities. The curriculum follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework with phonics, numeracy, and social skills development. Children access outdoor play areas, creative resources, and weekly reading books to take home, supporting their transition to formal education.
Kids Club
Lancelot's Kids Club offers supervised care for children aged 4-11 before and after school. Services include breakfast provision, school collection, homework support, and themed activities like crafts and sports. The club operates term-time only with extended hours from 7:30am to 6:30pm, including transportation to local schools in high-visibility jackets.
Holiday Club
Our holiday club provides full-day childcare during school breaks with themed activities and educational trips. Children participate in excursions to locations like Barleylands Farm and Sealife Centre, with all-inclusive pricing covering meals and transportation. The program runs from 8:00am to 6:00pm with experienced staff delivering creative learning experiences.
Parent Partnerships
We maintain strong parent partnerships through regular communication channels including daily updates, learning journals, and formal parent evenings. Our forum meetings, stay-and-play sessions, and volunteer opportunities enable family involvement in children's development. Parents receive newsletters, policy updates, and invitations to special events like summer fetes and annual outings.
People
Victoria Hawkins
Managing Director
With over 14 years' nursery management experience, Victoria holds a Level 5 qualification in Early Years Management. She established Camelot Day Nursery in 2011 to provide exceptional childcare, focusing on individualized learning and family partnerships. Her expertise includes safeguarding, special educational needs, and staff development.
Jim Hawkins
Director
Jim oversees nursery developments with 30 years' education experience. A qualified teacher and parent of three, he ensures educational quality and facility improvements. He focuses on creating environments that combine learning with emotional support, maintaining Camelot's family-oriented approach to childcare.
Amy
Nursery Manager
Amy has managed nursery operations since 2013, holding Level 3 practitioner qualifications. Her expertise includes special educational needs coordination, behaviour management, and fire safety. She emphasizes hands-on learning through creative activities and outdoor play, maintaining strong relationships with children and families.
Amanda
Head of Early Years Education
Amanda leads educational programs with a Level 6 qualification in Early Childhood Studies. She specializes in sensory play, literacy development, and inclusive learning strategies. Her approach combines structured activities with child-led exploration to foster confidence and independence in preschool children.
Billie-Jean
Deputy Manager
Billie-Jean has worked in childcare since 2013, holding Level 3 qualifications and specialized training in behaviour management. She focuses on creating engaging learning environments through role play, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities that support children's social and emotional development.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We provide childcare for children aged 3 months to 11 years across our nursery, pre-school, and kids club facilities.
Are funded spaces available?
Yes, we offer government-funded places for eligible children. Please contact us with your funding code to check availability.
What are your operating hours?
We operate Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm, with flexible early drop-off from 7:30am and late collection until 6:30pm.
Is food provided?
We provide freshly prepared meals following a 9-day rolling menu, including breakfast, snacks, and tea. Special dietary requirements are accommodated.
How do you support child development?
Our Ofsted-recognized programs combine structured learning with play-based activities, focusing on individual milestones and school readiness skills.
Can parents get involved?
Yes, we encourage parental participation through forums, stay-and-play sessions, learning journals, and regular communication with key workers.
Reviews (6)
Mrs. Green
Oct 22, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Reliability
They really care about the children and help them with cuddles and kindness to settle in. My son found it difficult but they worked hard to build trusting relationships with him and now he loves nursery.
They really care about the children and help them with cuddles and kindness to settle in. My son found it difficult but they worked hard to build trusting relationships with him and now he loves nursery.
Rebecca Griswood
Apr 21, 2021
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Hands down the best nursery in Chelmsford. I worked here and the staff and atmosphere is perfect for the children. I started as the nursery cook I absolutely loved it. The only reason I left is because I had to move to clacton and the commute wasn't viable. I'd work here and send my child here in a heartbeat. The manager is incredible and always puts the children's and staffs wellbeing at heart. Continual learning and progression for all. Giving the staff and children the best experience possible. All of the children thrive and new equipment / way of learning are always added to the mix. The children
Jon Helm
Dec 26, 2018
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My son used to come here in the mornings whilst i was at work. Heavy emphasis on the 'used to'. They seem to have lost him and when i came to search the lost property box, there was not a trace but instead a plethora of other disregarded children. This is worrying as I haven't seen my son for 3 weeks, because of this family brunch has not been able to occur. Very inconvenient please resolve as swift as possible
Brogan Joy
Oct 18, 2018
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Brilliant nursery with fantastic facilities. My daughter has been attending twice a week since January, she settled in well and is happy to attend the setting.
Camelot serves freshly cooked meals twice a day with a selection of cereals and toast for breakfast. The staff are great when it comes to accomodating for dietary requirements and allergies. The nursery has a lovely garden which the children play in most days and includes a fenced off section for the smaller children to play in.
Camelot sends an email each evening after your child has attended to inform you of the activities the children
Camelot serves freshly cooked meals twice a day with a selection of cereals and toast for breakfast. The staff are great when it comes to accomodating for dietary requirements and allergies. The nursery has a lovely garden which the children play in most days and includes a fenced off section for the smaller children to play in.
Camelot sends an email each evening after your child has attended to inform you of the activities the children
Vicky Mason
Aug 17, 2017
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The review placed by Anna Kiwilsza is not only incorrect but also untrue as this child never attended our setting. For any parents that are unsure they are welcome to read our latest ofsted report (May 2017) with the element of OUTSTANDING care and welfare for all children. Also we welcome any new parent to talk to our list of over 200 parents who are very happy with the service they receive.
Anna Kiwilsza
Sep 17, 2016
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My child's place was terminated by the nursery 3 weeks after accepted enrollment literally in the week when my daughter was moving full time from part time sessions which left us, working parents, completely without childcare. The cancellation reason the nursery gave us was the fact that our daughter hasn't been vaccinated. Shocking! The current national regulation regarding vaccination clearly says that vaccines are only recommended, not obligatory! Therefore I find the nursery's decision highly discriminating. I have asked the nursery about clarification why they do not act within the current
