Woodcroft Nursery School

Dorset Avenue, Great Baddow, Chelmsford CM2 9UB
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8.4 21 Reviews
  • Woodcroft Nursery School, Chelmsford
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Type of Service

  • Nursery School
  • Open term time
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Owner

  • Woodcroft Nursery School
  • Local Authority Owned

Person in Charge

  • Ferliene Willis (Headteacher)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 20

Total Places for Children

  • 80

Age Range

  • from 2 years 0 months
  • to 4 years 11 months

Funding & Fees

  • Free - Up to 15 hours per week funded sessions for all 3-4 year olds (30 hours for eligible families).
    Free - Funded places for 2 year olds (subject to eligibility).
    Funding can be used across all our sessions from 7:45am-5:45pm
    £22.50 per session (am/pm 3 hours).
    £7.50 per lunch session (if not covered in funding) (provide own lunch).
    £8.00 per Breakfast Club session (if not covered in funding) (Includes breakfast*).
    £7.50 After School Club (1 Hour)(if not covered in funding).
    £16.00 After School Club (2 hours - includes hot snack*) (if not covered in funding)
    £0.20 per session snack charge*
    £40.00 voluntary contribution per term (3 terms a year)
    *if parents/carers do not wish to pay for food items, they can provide their own healthy snack as an alternative

  • Please see our website for more information on session times and fees https://woodcroft-nur.essex.sch.uk/

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:45-17:45
    Tuesday 07:45-17:45
    Wednesday 07:45-17:45
    Thursday 07:45-17:45
    Friday 07:45-16:45

When Closed

  • School Holidays

Parking

  • Parking available on road, short walk on gated pathway to Nursery

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Woodcroft Nursery School Reviews (21)

8.4

Woodcroft Nursery School has a Review Score of 8.4 (8.438) out of 10, based on 3 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Woodcroft Nursery School has 21 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Total of 21, showing 1-20
Review from Hatti H (Mother of Child) published on 4 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery is just beautiful!! The teachers are so amazing, helpful and understanding. They listen and try to help where they can. The garden is just incredible and my son said its his favourite place. When starting, my son barely spoke, now we are at the end, he doesn't stop talking. The progress
within him is all down to woodcroft nursery and their teachers!! The office staff and head teacher are so friendly and bubbly, they make you instantly at ease when dropping my son off. I just love woodcroft and so sad for my son to be leaving but also thankful as my youngest will going!! Thank you woodcroft nursery!!
Reply from Ferliene Willis, Headteacher at Woodcroft Nursery School
Thank you for your kind words. It has been our absolute pleasure to have your son at Woodcroft and to get to know you as a family. We wish you all the best on the next stage of your educational…read more
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Review from Natalie D (Mother of Child) published on 22 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Absolutely would recommend this nursery to any parent! The staff are amazing, very kind and really supportive in anyway possible! My son has loved every moment he spent being here and has learnt so much from it! The nursery is very clean and a safe environment. My son only has this week left before
he goes on to his new journey at primary school! A massive shout out and a huge thank you to all the staff at Woodcroft! You have all been so wonderful and so caring to myself and my son! We will miss you all at Woodcroft so much! :) xx
Reply from Ferliene Willis, Headteacher at Woodcroft Nursery School
Thank you for your kind words. It has been our absolute pleasure to have your son at Woodcroft and to get to know you as a family. We wish you all the best on the next stage of your educational…read more
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Review from Raphael O (Father of Child) published on 22 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little one was there for a short while but it's the happiest she's been, attending a nursery. The teachers are wonderful and the management team as well. They make you feel welcome every single day and the children are occupied with activities both inside and outside.
Reply from Ferliene Willis, Headteacher at Woodcroft Nursery School
Thank you for your kind words. It has been our absolute pleasure to have your daughter at Woodcroft and to get to know you as a family. We wish you all the best on the next stage of your educational…read more
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Review from Jenny P (Mother of Child) published on 11 July 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Woodcroft Nursery since late last year (2022), he has complex needs and this nursery has been absolutely amazing, the nursery is like a big family, very supportive of families and the children's education of all levels of development, I can't fault the nursery at all, my son
has come on leaps and bounds since being with them all I can say is I highly recommend this nursery to anyone with little ones. I thank this nursery every day for the support with my son to give him the best start in life in an educational environment.
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Review from Cassandra S (Mother of Child) published on 29 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at Woodcroft Nursery School are wonderfully helpful and supportive and my child loves the range of activities available to him. We're kept well informed of our child's progress and what the nursery are doing to help him develop. We really do love this nursery.
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Review from Nina W (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Woodcroft Nursery since Sept 2021 and we cannot recommend this setting enough. The staff are very attentive and caring. There is a broad range of activities daily and great outdoor and indoor space. The children get to experience a termly activity such as a children's entertainer,
ducklings in the spring and last summer we had a mobile farm come to visit. We have also had visits from the local fire brigade and the children have experienced using the hose and exploring the fire engine.
Reply from Ferliene Willis, Headteacher at Woodcroft Nursery School
Thank you for your lovely review Nina, we're so happy that your son is enjoying Woodcroft so much, and we really appreciate the time you have taken to leave us a review.
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Review from Claire M (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I was highly recommended the parent and toddler group at Woodcroft Nursery school. Lovely resources set out in creative ways and friendly staff who I was able to chat about childcare with. I have taught in early years education myself for just over 10 years and had visited a few different settings but
I really enjoyed the open day that Woodcroft held and I Just knew that it was the right setting for my child.


Amazing outdoor space that the children use in all weathers. My child especially enjoys the forest school sessions and the fact that there are chickens and now a rabbit who they help to look after. Photos are shared with parents on an online learning journey system which is lovely, so I was able to see my child taking part in lots of activities including toasting eggy bread on the fire outside during a forest school session. I cannot recommend this Nursery highly enough, my child is making so much progress and most of all he is happy here. Thank you, Woodcroft.

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Review from Sarah S (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wonderful, child centred nursery with truly experienced teachers. The things I love about Woodcroft are:
1. The emphasis is on the child-led play, and the environment is really rich: children can wander around where they like (inside and outside) and there are lots of engaging activities.
2. The
teachers are truly calm, warm and nurturing, and the turn-over is very low, and they are all very experienced. You yet a sense that the staff here really enjoy their work (which is certainly not the case at most nurseries).
3. Qualified teachers work here alongside experienced nursery staff.
4. This is a place that treats children as individuals and doesn't expect them to all be the same. The settling in process can be very gentle if you like, and the needs of each child are clearly taken into account. They are very accommodating and you can choose age sessions which work best for you, including how many you do.
I highly recommend this nursery. It's really a gem and I'm so glad we found it.
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Review from Natasha D (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I chose this nursery as it is local to me and also because it provides a beautiful and spacious outside space with a variety of activities. My daughter loves been outside and exploring. I particularly like that they give some freedom to the children like you would at home so they are free to spend more
time outside if they wish or do more activities indoors. They only provide snacks and you have to provide lunch, which for some may be a downfall. My daughter is getting quite fussy, but I know if she was given a meal at nursery she would probably eat it more willingly if everyone else was. Overall a lovely little nursery.
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Review from Catherine G (Mother of Child) published on 25 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have had all four of my children attend Woodcroft over the last nine years and it has always been the most exemplary preschool. From the Toddler group right through the nursery, I’ve always felt the staff really care about my children as individuals, and offer so much help and support for my child
and for me. The outdoor space is brilliant and the free play session time is great for letting the children explore and choose activities. The nursery is well-equipped for varied play and learning. My youngest is still there at four after deferring his primary school entry for a year, and he has been given individual attention to prepare him for school in September. Any problems we’ve had have always been dealt with fairly and quickly, but there really haven’t been many! I can’t recommend Woodcroft highly enough, it really has suited my children very well and prepared them for primary education.
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Review from Kate C (Mother of Child) published on 25 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My eldest daughter has attended Woodcroft Nursery School since September 2016 and I have nothing but praise for the staff. They have an experienced team who work hard to ensure each child’s individual needs are best met by working closely with parents/carers. The setting is fairly unique in that it
is actually true to the EYFS ethos. Children have free access to the large outdoor areas and are encouraged by staff to extend their interests by choosing the resources that appeal to them. The staff are very approachable and the children are very well cared for. I honestly recommend it to all local families, it is fab.
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Review from Samantha I (Mother of Child) published on 25 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing nursery! Staff are so lovely and welcoming! I will be sending my other children here too! They are always so keen to help and have definitely helped my son with so many things and are very understanding. Highly recommend.
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Review from Joanna H (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic nursery with great staff. The place where every child is treated as an individual. Superb outside area, the children have an opportunity to learn through play in a professional and loving setting. All concerns are always addressed and solved. I could not recommend it enough.
Reply from Sally Brisley, Headteacher at Woodcroft Nursery School
Thank you for the lovely review Joanna.
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Review from Lucy B (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I love this nursery! My son attended Woodcroft from 2012-2014 and when my daughter was born in 2014 we started in the baby group. She will leave this summer and I will be sad. Woodcroft offers the children a wide range of experiences and activities, and both my children have loved going there.
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Review from Anna H (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have been thoroughly impressed with Woodcroft. The setup and structure is so child-friendly. My child has grown and grown since she has been there. The staff genuinely care and are interested in seeing your child thrive. I couldn't rate the place more highly.
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Review from Mel (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter enjoys her time at Pre-school and the care and support the staff show at all times is great. Such a fantastic environment for her to play and learn in.
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Review from Mel S (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Love the ethos of the learning at Woodcroft.
All the staff are qualified teachers. This is important to me as their experience is so important.
The outside areas are so large and varied. Haven’t come across another outside area as good.
Forest school is a huge positive and my son loves it.
Systems
are simple with the app.
The social occasions and fayres, fundraisers etc. are really well done, and the staff are so involved and caring.
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Review from Jenna W (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Woodcroft Nursery school is a fantastic safe nursery school. I love the facilities and outdoor space it offers. My daughter loves the Forest school activities, as well as the never-ending play opportunities. I previously sent my son here, who has medical needs, and found the staff and Senco team kind,
understand and reassuring. Excellent place to send your children.
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Review from Emma (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended Woodcroft for the past year and loves everything about it. The staff are so professional, very experienced and well trained. The environment is safe, well equipped and the outdoor space is huge - the forest school activities are brilliant.
We have used breakfast, lunch and
after-school clubs at various points, without which childcare would have been impossible. On top of all of this, as a maintained nursery school, they do actually offer the government’s 30 hours free childcare (unlike most other providers it seems). I can’t recommend highly enough.
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Review from Danielle T (Mother of Child) published on 19 January 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great early years setting, particularly for children with complex needs. The kids have space and freedom to explore inside and out, and there is a sensory room for those quieter moments. Amazing, experienced, professional key workers and SENCO. Great relationship with the children's centre. My boys
love it there!
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Current Review Score: 8.4 (8.438)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.4 (8.438) out of 10 for Woodcroft Nursery School is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 3 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.4 out of 5 from 3 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 5.000 for Woodcroft Nursery School is calculated as follows: ( (35 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 35 Ratings = 5
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 3.438 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Woodcroft Nursery School is based on 3 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 = 3.25
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 80 number of registered child places is 16. 3 Positive Reviews ÷ 16 = 0.188
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Woodcroft Nursery School

What is the Age Range of Children that Woodcroft Nursery School accepts?

Woodcroft Nursery School accepts Children aged from 2 years 0 months to 4 years 11 months.

What Days & Hours is Woodcroft Nursery School Open?

Woodcroft Nursery School is open: Monday 07:45-17:45, Tuesday 07:45-17:45, Wednesday 07:45-17:45, Thursday 07:45-17:45, Friday 07:45-16:45.

How many Children does Woodcroft Nursery School have capacity for?

Woodcroft Nursery School has capacity for a total of 80 Children.

How far is Woodcroft Nursery School to the centre of Chelmsford?

1.6 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Woodcroft Nursery School to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Woodcroft Nursery School has an Basic Service - more info.