Submit a Review for Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery
University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, CO4 3SQ
View full details of Wivenhoe Park Day NurseryLatest Reviews for Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery
02 February 2026
I have two boys at Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery who have attended since they were 12 months and 9 months old. They both absolutely love it here and watching them flourish into such confident, sociable little boys has been a joy. All of the staff have been amazing, both teaching and non-teaching, and
you really get the sense that everybody absolutely loves their job. From the moment you walk in the door there is a warm, welcoming, positive atmosphere that resonates throughout the nursery. It's clear to see the staff take pride in helping every child to learn and grow. Throughout any given day they take part in a wide range of activities including singing, painting, reading, sensory and themed activities, walks to see the ducks, and free play with all the toys. The facilities are fantastic, particularly the outdoor spaces which my boys especially enjoy. My children are so happy here, and we could not be happier thanks to everybody at WPDN who have made their experience so wonderful.
02 February 2026
We cannot speak highly enough of WPD Nursery. Our youngest has been there since she was one year old and is now finishing preschool, and our older child attended for over four years. Both children have been extremely happy and settled throughout their time there.
The experiences offered are
fantastic, including forest school, dancing, singing, and yoga, with sessions led by external teachers. These activities have really enriched our children's learning and confidence.
Every key person we have had has been exceptionally kind, caring, and supportive. We remember all of their names because each played a significant role in our children's development. Our children often play "nursery" and recall things they learned from their key persons, which shows the strong bonds formed.
Management and administration are equally wonderful, always welcoming us warmly each morning and saying goodbye at the end of the day. We will truly miss the nursery when our youngest finishes preschool.
02 February 2026
All three of my children have attended this nurse since 2019. We will be sad when this journey is over. All the ladies/ gentleman that work here are all lovely, friendly and kind.
I always recommended this nursery of local mums ask
02 February 2026
We are very happy we chose Wivenhoe Day Park Nursery. Our son has a fantastic time here and the staff and management are second to none. They have a lot of activities including my sons favourite 'Dancing with Charlotte'. Also have great outside spaces. Cannot recommend enough.
02 February 2026
My daughter has joined for the final year before starting school and we were apprehensive that this could be too much change for her
The staff have been so caring, welcoming and friendly and she is having so much fun
She has bonded really well with her key worker and is settling in perfectly
I
have been so impressed with how nurturing the staff are
I also love that you can go in to pick the children up and see what they are getting up to!
She has especially enjoyed the forest school, Dan has taught her so much!
Thank you so much for the love and care you give Elsie
02 February 2026
Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery is excellent. The commitment of all the staff to supporting the children their is amazing, and they do such a good job of creating a warm, supportive and stimulating environment for children. All 3 of our children have attended the nursery and I cannot recommend them
highly enough, whether it be for how well they look after little ones, or how well they prepare the older children for the transition to school.
02 February 2026
My son started at WPDN in January 2024, shortly after he turned one, and we both love it! He really enjoys going to nursery and I feel so reassured that he will have fun and be well cared for. Our daughter attended a different nursery and our experience at WPDN has been 100% better. The nursery is
just great. The staff are all so caring and clearly love what they do, they are so enthusiastic and genuinely interested in our little ones. My son loves all of his 'ladies' and talks about them all the time. My son excitedly tells me about all of the fun activities he has done; I like seeing what the team have setup for the children when I drop him off in the morning, they really go the extra mile to provide fun, engaging and really creative activities for the children. My son really enjoys the craft activities, baking and of course dancing with Charlotte. Information sharing and engagement with parents is also really good, we feel suppported as a whole family. Thank you for everything.
02 February 2026
Such a lovely nursery. The staff in both Bluebell and Maple room are so welcoming and always great me and my little girl with a big smile! When my little girl fist started I was very apprehensive to leave her with people I didn't know. However after a few weeks I felt very confident and happy. My
little girl absolutely loves going to nursery and she has learnt so much since she started. Thank you so much.
02 February 2026
Our son runs into this Nursury every morning he attends. The staff are always attentive. Lodi and Kerry have been out key workers whilst we've been there, and I'm sure all staff are amazing, but both of these people are lovely and our son has bonded well with both of them.
Lodi writes such great
reports about our son's days, we really know she's paying attention to him. (It's the details she adds that are so my son's reactions.)
Price wise this is an amazing Nursury and what the kids get is outstanding. Compared to another nursery our son attends there is no comparison.
02 February 2026
Our little one has now been at WPDN for almost a year, having started in the baby room and now being in one of the toddler rooms. He absolutely LOVES the nursery, and so do we! As new parents, it's terrifying leaving your child with "strangers" but everyone has been so brilliant and kind from day
one that the transition was much easier for us than imagined. We always know he's in safe hands, he quickly got really attached to all his carers and his development has come along in leaps and bounds thanks to the hard work and love from everyone on staff. So many friends and family comment on how sociable and friendly our little one is, and we always credit his nursery for that. His day is filled with indoor and outdoor play, sensory activities, reading, singing and signing, lots of freshly-cooked food onsite, and lots of care and fun. We're so happy we chose WPDN for our little one.
02 February 2026
Great nursery, great staff, great food, great facilities, the list goes on. My daughter always comes home happy, not hungry, and with lots of stories to tell about her day.
02 February 2026
Our little boy has just changed class, which caused him to be unsettled. The key workers in his room did an amazing job to support to settle him and he is now happily going into nursery. All the staff at the nursery are so friendly and kind!
02 February 2026
Wivenhoe Park Nursery is a truly wonderful setting. The environment is warm, nurturing and thoughtfully set up to support children's development, confidence and happiness. The staff are caring, attentive and clearly passionate about what they do, which really shows in the way the children are
supported and encouraged every day.
A special mention must go to the manager, Dawn, who is absolutely fantastic. She leads the nursery with such kindness, professionalism and dedication. Dawn is approachable, supportive and genuinely cares about both the children and families, creating a real sense of community and trust.
I would highly recommend Wivenhoe Park Nursery to any parent looking for a safe, loving and enriching place for their child to thrive.
02 February 2026
My 4 year old son loves going to WPDN. He has been at this nursery since he was 10 months old and our family could not be more grateful for the amazing space that all nursery staff have created for young children and babies. His favourite activity these days is to go to forest school.
02 February 2026
We have had nothing short of an amazing experience with Essex day nursery. My son is now 4 and has been at the nursery from 14 months old. It has been such a positive experience for him and I am forever grateful for all the support, kindness and love the staff have shown him from day one. He always
runs to the door and is always excited to go to nursery/pre-school and has made wonderful friendships since being there. The activities the children get to take part in ie Forest School are so valuable and he adores being a part of it. He is such a confident and happy boy and Essex Day Nursery have played a vital role in that!
02 February 2026
We have changed to this nursery after trial and error with other local settings and couldn't be happier. The staff is incredibly warm and welcoming, the food menu is well thought through and open to suggestions, and the kids have the most wonderfully adventurous yet safe surroundings. Also really
love the small groups that progress together meaning our little one is likely to start school with some of her besties.
02 February 2026
We have used this nursery for both of our children and are extremely happy with it! The staff are all knowledgeable and professional but also very warm and friendly. Furthermore they have a great ratio of older/more experienced workers and younger workers that I think makes for fantastic teams.
Their forest school is great for older little ones, too, and they learn so much about nature and to be hardy in all weathers!
They supported my shy son as he came out of his shell, and are now supporting my chatty daughter as she grows into a toddler. If I were to have another child I wouldn't think twice about which nursery I'm choosing. I have no doubt this is one of the best, if not the best, nurseries in the area!!
If I have a single complaint is that it ca be hard to find a spot!! But that's just testament to how good they are. Get in the waiting list, you won't regret it.
02 February 2026
I cannot fault the care my child receives at Wivenhoe Day Park Nursery. The level of care from her key person feels more like a family connection than childcare. Theodora shows my child a love and warmth that genuinely mirrors my own, and that means everything to me as a parent.
All of the
ladies speak so highly of my daughter, whether it's how funny she is, how confident her walking has become, or how bright her personality is. It honestly sometimes makes me wonder if she ever plays up while she's there!
The nursery has instilled such confidence in my child. She has never cried at drop-off; instead, she happily waves at the staff, all of whom (very impressively) know her by name despite the number of children they care for.
I have never once doubted that this is the right place for my child, and I feel incredibly grateful for the love, reassurance and care they provide every single day. Thank you Poppy room and Theodora.
02 February 2026
My daughter absolutely loves going to this nursery, we couldn't be happier that she's in such a caring and creative environment. She's been thriving because of all the wonderful activities they do every day, has made so many friends and adores the staff. They also have additional things which mean
so much to my daughter, such as story sacks with books and accompanying toys, and a library where the children can borrow books to take home. Highly recommend WPDN!!
02 February 2026
As parents and as a student who is juggling school with parenthood, we couldn't be happier with Wivenhoe Day Nursery. From the moment you walk through the door, you can feel how caring, welcoming, and nurturing the environment is. The staff are absolutely wonderful, kind, attentive, and genuinely
passionate about the children and their development.
The nursery provides a fantastic balance of learning, play, and creativity, helping each child grow in confidence while feeling safe and supported. Communication with parents is excellent, and it's so reassuring to know that every child is treated as an individual and truly valued.
It's clear that a lot of thought and love goes into everything they do, from engaging activities to emotional wellbeing. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a supportive and positive nursery community and would wholeheartedly recommend Wivenhoe Day Nursery to any family looking for a nurturing start for their child
Latest Reviews for Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery
02 February 2026
I have two boys at Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery who have attended since they were 12 months and 9 months old. They both absolutely love it here and watching them flourish into such confident, sociable little boys has been a joy. All of the staff have been amazing, both teaching and non-teaching, and
you really get the sense that everybody absolutely loves their job. From the moment you walk in the door there is a warm, welcoming, positive atmosphere that resonates throughout the nursery. It's clear to see the staff take pride in helping every child to learn and grow. Throughout any given day they take part in a wide range of activities including singing, painting, reading, sensory and themed activities, walks to see the ducks, and free play with all the toys. The facilities are fantastic, particularly the outdoor spaces which my boys especially enjoy. My children are so happy here, and we could not be happier thanks to everybody at WPDN who have made their experience so wonderful.
02 February 2026
We cannot speak highly enough of WPD Nursery. Our youngest has been there since she was one year old and is now finishing preschool, and our older child attended for over four years. Both children have been extremely happy and settled throughout their time there.
The experiences offered are
fantastic, including forest school, dancing, singing, and yoga, with sessions led by external teachers. These activities have really enriched our children's learning and confidence.
Every key person we have had has been exceptionally kind, caring, and supportive. We remember all of their names because each played a significant role in our children's development. Our children often play "nursery" and recall things they learned from their key persons, which shows the strong bonds formed.
Management and administration are equally wonderful, always welcoming us warmly each morning and saying goodbye at the end of the day. We will truly miss the nursery when our youngest finishes preschool.
02 February 2026
All three of my children have attended this nurse since 2019. We will be sad when this journey is over. All the ladies/ gentleman that work here are all lovely, friendly and kind.
I always recommended this nursery of local mums ask
02 February 2026
We are very happy we chose Wivenhoe Day Park Nursery. Our son has a fantastic time here and the staff and management are second to none. They have a lot of activities including my sons favourite 'Dancing with Charlotte'. Also have great outside spaces. Cannot recommend enough.
02 February 2026
My daughter has joined for the final year before starting school and we were apprehensive that this could be too much change for her
The staff have been so caring, welcoming and friendly and she is having so much fun
She has bonded really well with her key worker and is settling in perfectly
I
have been so impressed with how nurturing the staff are
I also love that you can go in to pick the children up and see what they are getting up to!
She has especially enjoyed the forest school, Dan has taught her so much!
Thank you so much for the love and care you give Elsie
02 February 2026
Wivenhoe Park Day Nursery is excellent. The commitment of all the staff to supporting the children their is amazing, and they do such a good job of creating a warm, supportive and stimulating environment for children. All 3 of our children have attended the nursery and I cannot recommend them
highly enough, whether it be for how well they look after little ones, or how well they prepare the older children for the transition to school.
02 February 2026
My son started at WPDN in January 2024, shortly after he turned one, and we both love it! He really enjoys going to nursery and I feel so reassured that he will have fun and be well cared for. Our daughter attended a different nursery and our experience at WPDN has been 100% better. The nursery is
just great. The staff are all so caring and clearly love what they do, they are so enthusiastic and genuinely interested in our little ones. My son loves all of his 'ladies' and talks about them all the time. My son excitedly tells me about all of the fun activities he has done; I like seeing what the team have setup for the children when I drop him off in the morning, they really go the extra mile to provide fun, engaging and really creative activities for the children. My son really enjoys the craft activities, baking and of course dancing with Charlotte. Information sharing and engagement with parents is also really good, we feel suppported as a whole family. Thank you for everything.
02 February 2026
Such a lovely nursery. The staff in both Bluebell and Maple room are so welcoming and always great me and my little girl with a big smile! When my little girl fist started I was very apprehensive to leave her with people I didn't know. However after a few weeks I felt very confident and happy. My
little girl absolutely loves going to nursery and she has learnt so much since she started. Thank you so much.
02 February 2026
Our son runs into this Nursury every morning he attends. The staff are always attentive. Lodi and Kerry have been out key workers whilst we've been there, and I'm sure all staff are amazing, but both of these people are lovely and our son has bonded well with both of them.
Lodi writes such great
reports about our son's days, we really know she's paying attention to him. (It's the details she adds that are so my son's reactions.)
Price wise this is an amazing Nursury and what the kids get is outstanding. Compared to another nursery our son attends there is no comparison.
02 February 2026
Our little one has now been at WPDN for almost a year, having started in the baby room and now being in one of the toddler rooms. He absolutely LOVES the nursery, and so do we! As new parents, it's terrifying leaving your child with "strangers" but everyone has been so brilliant and kind from day
one that the transition was much easier for us than imagined. We always know he's in safe hands, he quickly got really attached to all his carers and his development has come along in leaps and bounds thanks to the hard work and love from everyone on staff. So many friends and family comment on how sociable and friendly our little one is, and we always credit his nursery for that. His day is filled with indoor and outdoor play, sensory activities, reading, singing and signing, lots of freshly-cooked food onsite, and lots of care and fun. We're so happy we chose WPDN for our little one.
02 February 2026
Great nursery, great staff, great food, great facilities, the list goes on. My daughter always comes home happy, not hungry, and with lots of stories to tell about her day.
02 February 2026
Our little boy has just changed class, which caused him to be unsettled. The key workers in his room did an amazing job to support to settle him and he is now happily going into nursery. All the staff at the nursery are so friendly and kind!
02 February 2026
Wivenhoe Park Nursery is a truly wonderful setting. The environment is warm, nurturing and thoughtfully set up to support children's development, confidence and happiness. The staff are caring, attentive and clearly passionate about what they do, which really shows in the way the children are
supported and encouraged every day.
A special mention must go to the manager, Dawn, who is absolutely fantastic. She leads the nursery with such kindness, professionalism and dedication. Dawn is approachable, supportive and genuinely cares about both the children and families, creating a real sense of community and trust.
I would highly recommend Wivenhoe Park Nursery to any parent looking for a safe, loving and enriching place for their child to thrive.
02 February 2026
My 4 year old son loves going to WPDN. He has been at this nursery since he was 10 months old and our family could not be more grateful for the amazing space that all nursery staff have created for young children and babies. His favourite activity these days is to go to forest school.
02 February 2026
We have had nothing short of an amazing experience with Essex day nursery. My son is now 4 and has been at the nursery from 14 months old. It has been such a positive experience for him and I am forever grateful for all the support, kindness and love the staff have shown him from day one. He always
runs to the door and is always excited to go to nursery/pre-school and has made wonderful friendships since being there. The activities the children get to take part in ie Forest School are so valuable and he adores being a part of it. He is such a confident and happy boy and Essex Day Nursery have played a vital role in that!
02 February 2026
We have changed to this nursery after trial and error with other local settings and couldn't be happier. The staff is incredibly warm and welcoming, the food menu is well thought through and open to suggestions, and the kids have the most wonderfully adventurous yet safe surroundings. Also really
love the small groups that progress together meaning our little one is likely to start school with some of her besties.
02 February 2026
We have used this nursery for both of our children and are extremely happy with it! The staff are all knowledgeable and professional but also very warm and friendly. Furthermore they have a great ratio of older/more experienced workers and younger workers that I think makes for fantastic teams.
Their forest school is great for older little ones, too, and they learn so much about nature and to be hardy in all weathers!
They supported my shy son as he came out of his shell, and are now supporting my chatty daughter as she grows into a toddler. If I were to have another child I wouldn't think twice about which nursery I'm choosing. I have no doubt this is one of the best, if not the best, nurseries in the area!!
If I have a single complaint is that it ca be hard to find a spot!! But that's just testament to how good they are. Get in the waiting list, you won't regret it.
02 February 2026
I cannot fault the care my child receives at Wivenhoe Day Park Nursery. The level of care from her key person feels more like a family connection than childcare. Theodora shows my child a love and warmth that genuinely mirrors my own, and that means everything to me as a parent.
All of the
ladies speak so highly of my daughter, whether it's how funny she is, how confident her walking has become, or how bright her personality is. It honestly sometimes makes me wonder if she ever plays up while she's there!
The nursery has instilled such confidence in my child. She has never cried at drop-off; instead, she happily waves at the staff, all of whom (very impressively) know her by name despite the number of children they care for.
I have never once doubted that this is the right place for my child, and I feel incredibly grateful for the love, reassurance and care they provide every single day. Thank you Poppy room and Theodora.
02 February 2026
My daughter absolutely loves going to this nursery, we couldn't be happier that she's in such a caring and creative environment. She's been thriving because of all the wonderful activities they do every day, has made so many friends and adores the staff. They also have additional things which mean
so much to my daughter, such as story sacks with books and accompanying toys, and a library where the children can borrow books to take home. Highly recommend WPDN!!
02 February 2026
As parents and as a student who is juggling school with parenthood, we couldn't be happier with Wivenhoe Day Nursery. From the moment you walk through the door, you can feel how caring, welcoming, and nurturing the environment is. The staff are absolutely wonderful, kind, attentive, and genuinely
passionate about the children and their development.
The nursery provides a fantastic balance of learning, play, and creativity, helping each child grow in confidence while feeling safe and supported. Communication with parents is excellent, and it's so reassuring to know that every child is treated as an individual and truly valued.
It's clear that a lot of thought and love goes into everything they do, from engaging activities to emotional wellbeing. We feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a supportive and positive nursery community and would wholeheartedly recommend Wivenhoe Day Nursery to any family looking for a nurturing start for their child