Basildon Hospital Day Nursery Celebrates Outstanding Ofsted Rating

We are delighted to share that Basildon Hospital Day Nursery has been rated Outstanding in every area following its most recent Ofsted inspection!

The inspectors described our nursery as “warm and welcoming,” recognising how children thrive in an environment where they feel safe, supported, and inspired to explore. Strong and caring relationships are at the heart of everything we do, helping children settle quickly and grow in confidence.

The report praised the team for creating an exciting and ambitious curriculum that encourages curiosity, independence, and deep thinking. Inspectors highlighted how:

• “Staff help children explore and ask questions, fostering curiosity and deep thinking.”
• “Children flourish in a language-rich environment where stories and purposeful talk promote creativity and rich conversation.”
• “Children who speak English as an additional language receive exceptional support, helping them to feel understood and confident as they develop both languages successfully.”

From discovering what happens when a pine cone gets wet, to pretending to put out fires with water squirters, learning at Basildon Hospital is hands-on, imaginative, and full of joy. Storybooks inspire creativity too, with children making their own ‘Stickman’ characters and retelling stories in their own words. These magical moments help children strengthen memory, confidence, and communication.

Independence is celebrated every day. Babies are supported to spread their own cream cheese, toddlers serve lunch from shared dishes, and older children pour drinks and help friends at the ‘Self Support Station’. Each step helps build confidence, resilience, and pride.

Our partnerships with families are a true strength of the nursery. Parents spoke warmly about the caring and dedicated team, describing how well informed they feel through daily conversations and regular updates. Families especially value the thoughtfully designed ‘Borrow Bags’ which support learning and wellbeing at home, helping children feel secure and supported through every stage of development.

Nursery Manager, Danielle Norris, shared her pride in the team:

“We are absolutely thrilled to receive an Outstanding rating. Our team works with so much care, passion, and creativity to provide the very best start in life for every child. The Ofsted feedback reflects the warm, nurturing, and inspiring environment that our educators create every single day.”

Head of Early Years Practice, Esther Carey, added:

“This Outstanding result is a true reflection of the dedication and expertise of the Basildon Hospital team. They have created a space where children feel loved, valued, and inspired to explore the world around them. It is wonderful to see such exceptional practice recognised and celebrated.”

We were also delighted to receive a personal letter from Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Leader of Basildon Council, whose daughter attended Seymour House. He shared how much he valued the care and education she received and congratulated the team, writing:

“This recognition is richly deserved and a testament to the passion, commitment, and hard work of your entire team. You make Basildon proud.”

We are incredibly proud of our Basildon Hospital nursery family. This Outstanding achievement highlights the team’s commitment to creating joyful, meaningful learning experiences that help children flourish.

You can read the full Ofsted report here

Together, we will continue to nurture curiosity, confidence, and kindness in every child at Basildon Hospital Day Nursery.