Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

51 Centenary Way, Springfield, Chelmsford CM1 6AU
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9.9 49 Reviews
Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool is a beautiful purpose-built setting for children aged 3 months to 5 years.

There are five individual rooms, each tailored to the children’s different age groups as well as a naturally inspiring outdoor play area where children can explore and flourish.

There is also a dedicated outdoor classroom for 3 – 5-year-olds providing exciting outdoor learning opportunities all providing a safe and secure environment for the children.

There is a focus on ICT for older children including an interactive touch table and ‘bluebots’ which introduce early programming skills to prepare children for the next step in education.

An enriching Ready for School programme gives every child the opportunity to gain knowledge and confidence to thrive in school and beyond.

The nursery work with families to find a settle into a routine that works for them and support parents with home routines such as weening and potty training.

The nursery is conveniently located on the new Beaulieu Park development in the north of Chelmsford, just 2 miles from the town centre.

The nursery also provides nutritionally balanced meals, prepared fresh each day by the onsite chef. Fees are fully inclusive, with all nappies, wipes, creams, formulas and meals provided.
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Care Provided by Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care
  • Person in charge
  • Meggie (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 35
  • Total Places for Children
  • 80
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays

Funding & Fees Guide for Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

  • 30 hours funded childcare available


Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool Reviews (49)

Total of 49, showing 1-20
9.9

Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.936) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool has 49 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child started Bright Horizons in January 2025 and has settled in so well. The staff are always so lovely and friendly, and I am comfortable dropping them off in the morning knowing they are in safe hands. They seem to have fun and enjoy their time there everyday, and has built a really good bond
with their key worker and buddy which is always comforting and lovely to know.
The food is healthy and varied, the activities seem varied everyday and I've always been kept in the loop with they have had an accident, not feeling well or something else.
I would have no hesitations in sending my child there and being looked after by the team at Bright Horizons.

Reply from Amanda Barlow, The Parent Team at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear that your child has settled in well and enjoys their time at Bright Horizons. It's great to know the staff, activities, and communication have made you feel comfortable and confident in their care.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our experience with Bright Horizons Chelmsford Nursery has been nothing short of amazing! From the moment we enrolled our daughter, we felt welcomed and reassured by the warm and attentive staff. The team is incredibly caring, always ensuring that each child feels safe, happy, and engaged in a nurturing
environment.
The activities are well thought out, encouraging both learning and creativity, and we have noticed so much progress in our daughter's confidence and social skills since she started attending. The communication from the nursery is excellent, keeping us informed about her daily experiences and any updates.
It's truly a relief knowing that she is in such capable hands, and we couldn't be happier with our choice. I highly recommend this nursery to any parents looking for a loving and supportive setting for their little ones!
Thank you to all the wonderful staff for your dedication and hard work!

Reply from Amanda Barlow, The Parent Team at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for your kind words! Were so happy to hear your daughter is thriving and that you feel supported by our team. We truly appreciate your recommendation!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child is in the baby room currently and is so happy to go in every day she attends. Her key worker and all the management staff are amazing. We've recently had some health concerns and the staff have kept communicating with us and are doing everything they can in this uncertain time for us as a family.
Thank you!

Reply from Amanda Barlow, The Parent Team at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for your kind feedback! We're so glad your child is happy with us and appreciate your trust as we support you during this time.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Bright Horizons Chelmsford is hands down the most inclusive, fun and safest environment that my daughter could be in. My daughter started when she was 1 years old and is now in Preschool. Every single room my daughter has been in she has thrived. My daughter talks about her experiences and the fun
that is put on by their dedicated staff everyday and looks forward to going back the next morning! The management team are also amazing and will always support, and help with any questions etc. The chef does fantastic meals and my daughter always comes home well fed, the menu is well thought out and nutritious.

Reply from Amanda Barlow, The Parent Team at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled your daughter has thrived with us and enjoys her time each day.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Such a fantastic Nursery, my son loves it! The staff are great, friendly, always giving updates, look after the children so well. Lots of activities and such good food choice, they eat like kings !! Would highly recommend and rate 5 star! Thank you Bright Horizons Chelmsford!

Reply from Amanda Barlow, The Parent Team at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for your amazing review! We're so happy to hear your son loves his time at Bright Horizons Chelmsford. Thank you for your recommendation.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at the nursery are amazing, my daughter is always looking forward to going to the nursery which is really nice for a parent. I highly recommend.

Reply from Amanda Barlow, Campaigns & Digital Marketing Executive at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for your review. It's delightful to hear that your daughter enjoys her time at the nursery so much! Thank you for your recommendation we're thrilled to hear about your positive experience with the nursery!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been at Bright Horizons since he turned one, and has moved up through the baby rooms and into toddlers. Every step of the way, the nursery has exceeded our expectations. The staff is caring, both for parents and the children - they listen to parents, they encourage learning and fun for the
children and our son has developed so much from being there. The activities they do each day are amazing (and so much more than we would even think of!), the food is great and they have listened to us when we have asked for help or changes to routine. I honestly cannot recommend this place enough - we have zero regrets and if we go on to have another, will be reserving our place ASAP for them!

Reply from Amanda Barlow, Campaigns & Digital Marketing Executive at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for your review. It's truly heartening to hear about your positive journey with Bright Horizons as your son has grown with them. Thank you for sharing your experience, and it's fantastic to hear that you're considering Bright Horizons for any future additions to your family!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As soon as we walked around the nursery and my son started playing with all the toys and seeing all the activities in the rooms we knew this was the place for him to attend. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming and very helpful with any queries. Nothing is ever too much trouble and the children always
look like they have had a great day. My son is quite shy but the staff have really helped him to come out of his shell, and we have seen great improvements in his speech and his willingness to try different foods! They do wonderful activities with the children and get them in the outside space as often as they can which is great for our son who loves being outdoors.
All in all, we have had a fantastic experience using Bright Horizons.

Reply from Amanda Barlow, Campaigns & Digital Marketing Executive at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for your review. It's wonderful to hear that Bright Horizons has been such a perfect fit for your son! Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Bright Horizons are all incredibly welcoming and I have extreme confidence that they look after the wellbeing of my child with the same love and due diligence as I would! My child is extremely happy and comfortable there! I also really like the quality of the food for my child as that was
something extremely important to me! I love that whilst I am at work I know my child is being cared for and thriving in a loving environment. The hours are also fantastic as my work changes so I love that it’s a set day and I don’t need to book add-ons for a later finish! I have recommended this nursery to lots of local friends and they have all placed their children here also! Finally, I would also say how extremely clean the nursery is especially compared to others I’ve seen. My child’s room always appears organised and clean which is part of the reason why drop off and pick up is such a pleasure!

Reply from Amanda Barlow, Campaigns & Digital Marketing Executive at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for your review. It's heartwarming to hear about your positive experience at Bright Horizons! Your trust in the staff and their dedication to your child's well-being speaks volumes about the quality of care they provide. Thank you for your recommendation.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I would highly recommend Bright Horizons Beaulieu for anyone looking for an amazing nursery for their child. From the moment we walk through the door, we are greeted by friendly and positive staff! My son absolutely loves being there. The staff are attentive, kind and caring and they put a lot of effort
into making sure each child is happy and learning. The food provided is nutritious, diverse and delicious and they also cater to any restrictions, my son has tried so many new foods and absolutely loves it! The nursery is incredibly clean, the activities they do are really engaging, entertaining and help the kids learn in unique ways. The nursery is so well organized and the kids are incredibly well-behaved!
Overall, I am so grateful that my son gets to attend this nursery and that he is surrounded by amazing staff that care for him, make him super happy and teach him all that he needs to know! Thank you all!

Reply from Amanda Barlow, Campaigns & Digital Marketing Executive at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Hello, thank you for your five-star feedback and for sharing your experience with us.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter started Bright Horizons at 11 months, she is now 15 months and she runs down the corridor and into the baby room, she doesn't look back.
My daughter suffers from egg and dairy allergies and they have always gone above and beyond and catered for her needs. You can see what they have eaten
on the app and the variety of food is amazing.
Overall, Bright Horizons is an amazing nursery, I am so happy we chose this nursery and my daughter loves it there. The staff are very welcoming and every staff member knows every child's name.

Reply from Amanda Barlow, Campaigns & Digital Marketing Executive at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Hello, thank you for your five-star feedback and for sharing your experience with us.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

End of an era.


Wow, what a journey it has been. My son started in October 2020 and I was nervous as he was 14 months old at the time. He went through a transition from baby room to preschooler.


I cannot think of the words to say. I am so happy because we made the best decision when we chose

this nursery. I have seen my son going from being shy to being super happy, confident and caring. The nursery has worked well with him. The staff have encouraged him, motivated him, pushed him out of his comfort zone and have really worked with us where he showed weakness. I will be forever grateful to each member.


My son will miss all of them when he starts at big school. He is excited and again, thank you to everyone at Bright Horizons. Thank you for encouraging my baby- well he will always be my baby but now stands as a happy, confident and bubbly young man.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has absolutely flourished at Bright Horizons Chelmsford. He has had the most wonderful start to his learning journey, and we can’t thank them enough for everything. Today was our son’s last day before starting big school. We are very sad to leave but leave knowing he has had the best time and
made some great friends. Management and all the staff all love what they do, and that shines through in the nursery and preschool every day. We highly recommend and will miss our time here very much.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What an amazing nursery. Our little girl has flourished and is so ready to start her next chapter in reception.
The staff are truly so caring and nurturing, with genuine warmth, and they have made it so easy to leave her knowing she’s having so much fun.
We couldn’t have asked for somewhere better
to send our daughter. Bright Horizons Chelmsford deserves the outstanding it received, as it really is just that.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter really enjoys her days at Bright Horizons in Chelmsford. They teach through play and offer a variety of daily activities. They get outside as often as the weather allows and have lots of projects around growing plants/fruit/veg. They’ve even started their own wormery! She has a good relationship
with not only the adults in the room but is aware of other adults such as the chef.
We have access to an app, which is updated most days with information and pictures of what the children are up to, which is lovely to see, as well as detail about their food etc.

Reply from Amanda, Marketing and Campaigns Executive at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Hi, we are pleased to hear that you are happy with our nursery. Thank you again for taking the time to leave us your review.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are extremely pleased with our experience at Bright Horizons, Chelmsford. All of the staff are very attentive and personable and they have a true passion for the care of the children. The facility is excellent and the activities the children take part in keep them engaged and pushes them to grow
and develop.

Reply from Amanda, Marketing and Campaigns Executive at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Thank you for letting us know how pleased you are with our nursery. Thank you very much for taking the time to review us.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Second time using this nursery. I drive out of my way to get my son here. Even my older child still wishes she went and she left three years ago for school. The staff are so friendly, my little boy loves going to nursery and has done since he started at six months old.
Always kept up to date with
his schedule and always there to answer any questions or concerns we may have.

Reply from Amanda, Marketing and Campaigns Executive at Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

Hi, we are pleased to hear that you are happy with our nursery. Thank you again for taking the time to leave us your review.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our whole experience from the first day we looked round to now, has been fantastic. The team is amazing. So caring and considerate and has taught our daughter so much. We love hearing all the stories she comes home with and it is even better that we also get the opportunity to read about them along
with pictures on the app. The management team is always on hand for any questions or queries and are fantastic with their communication. The chef is also second to none, from having a child who would eat barely anything at home to one who is now willing to try (and like) most things because of all the different things she has at nursery, is just a breath of fresh air for us as parents. I cannot praise them enough, we are so glad that we chose them as the setting for our child and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone else. We are now ready to embark on our new adventure of school with a daughter who is more than ready, thanks to the foundations they have provided.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl started Bright Horizons, Chelmsford in 2020, in the baby room. Since that day, she has thrived beyond what we could ever expect. She always comes home happy, full of stories about things she has done and has created beautiful memories along the way. She has amazing relationships with
all the staff in the setting - from core staff in her room, to management and the chef. The management are always ready to listen to concerns, help in any way they can and make time for every family who comes into the setting. The Chef makes delicious meals that we hear all about at home and we are amazed by what she eats at nursery. Overall, we couldn't ask for a better start to our little ones journey. The setting is modern, clean, diverse and like a family to anyone who comes through their doors.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Superb place for our baby. Loving and caring staff and great superb facilities. The management staff is always around to make sure you leave that place happy and little one loves being there, so I guess that is the best positive review you can have.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.936)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.936) out of 10 for Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 17 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 17 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.936 for Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool is calculated as follows: ( (190 Excellents x 5) + (13 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 203 Ratings = 4.936

  • b) 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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool is based on 17 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 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 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 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, which has been reached with 17 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (5)

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Meet the Team (2)

Meggie

Meggie

Job Title: Nursery Manager

I have been part of the Bright Horizons family since 2009, joining Chelmsford in 2019. I hold an NVQ Level 3 Qualification and thrive in creating a stimulating, enabling environment for our children to grow and develop to their best potential.

At Chelmsford, we as a team work together to ensure the children in our care are happy, safe and flourishing throughout their nursery experience. My own son also attends the nursery, I can see from his developmental journey as well as his smile every day that my team are creating and delivering the highest standards of care to each and every child and their family.

... Read more
Donna

Donna

Job Title: Deputy Manager

I have worked for Bright Horizons since 2008 whilst studying for my level diploma in child development at Harlow College. I started as a student and worked my way up to Deputy Manager.

I have recently passed my level 2 mental health awareness qualification and level 2 counselling skills. I am extremely interested in furthering my career.

I thrive on achieving my goals and supporting and promoting our Nursery staff.

My passion lies in ensuring children in our care develop and flourish to their best abilities whilst supporting our families in our safe and secure environment.

... Read more

Frequently Asked Questions about Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool

What is the Age Range of Children that Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool accepts?

Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool accepts Children aged from 0 years 3 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool Open?

Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool is open: Monday 07:30-18:30, Tuesday 07:30-18:30, Wednesday 07:30-18:30, Thursday 07:30-18:30, Friday 07:30-18:30.

How many Children does Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool have capacity for?

Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool has capacity for a total of 80 Children.

How far is Bright Horizons Chelmsford Day Nursery and Preschool to the centre of Chelmsford?

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