Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Unit 4, Sharpe House, Hemmells, Laindon, Basildon SS15 6UJ
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9.8 32 Reviews
  • Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields, Basildon
Located on the Hemmells Estate in Laindon, the Dunton Fields setting offers a convenient location for busy parents. It is also the only one of the 3 nurseries in Laindon that provides half-day sessions! Munchkins Nursery group was voted 'Best Nursery in Essex 2024' in the Essex Mums Awards.

Welcoming children from 12 weeks to 4 years old, fondly referred to as a ‘Hidden Treasure’, Dunton Fields offers large spaces both inside and out encouraging children to explore and learn through discovery.

Designed to support development at every stage of your child’s journey, Munchkin's natural resources and activities promote care and build confidence.

Care Provided by Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Mel Harbon (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 20
  • Total Places for Children
  • 46
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 4 years 11 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 & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

  • Please contact the nursery directly for more information.


  • Please contact the nursery directly for more information.


  • Parking
  • The nursery have numerous free car parking spaces on the roads nearby nursery, and a private carpark that holds two - three cars.


Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields Reviews (32)

Total of 32, showing 21-32
9.8

Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.835) out of 10, based on 14 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields has 32 reviews.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Two of my girls have attended Munchkins, from the baby room to the pre-school and both the girls love the setting.
The staff are lovely and friendly. They also organise outdoor events for the kids and family. I’d definitely recommend!

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

We just love caring for your girls, they are an absolute delight!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

From the first time our daughter stepped into the nursery the staff have been nothing but first class. They genuinely care about how her day goes and she always comes home with a smile on her face. The nursery always have a mixture of activities, ranging from arts and crafts, to holding mini animal
zoos at the farm. The staff encourage independence whilst eating, socialising and toilet training and they always provide sound feedback of how the day has been. As parents, we have been very happy with our daughter's development, and could not recommend the nursery enough.

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Many thanks for your lovely review. It is always wonderful for our team to hear how much your munchkin loves coming to nursery.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am so glad to choose this nursery. Their outdoor garden is absolutely lovely encouraging outdoor play with natural elements!


My daughter has become so confident in a matter of a few months. I love how they use various methods to teach kids how to communicate which also involves using sign language.

I feel a part of my daughter's development in nursery, since I am given regular updates and I feel the management really do value parents' concern about their kid which is why I have chosen them again for my son!

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Thank you Haniya for writing your review about our nursery. We take great pride at building a solid parent/carer relationship which we feel is so imprtant for the wellbeing of your little Munchkin. Thank you once agin.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Recently started my second child here at the nursery and, after the amazing experience and amazing care they gave our son, I am so happy to say the same amazing care is still being given. My children are happy here and the setting is so welcoming. Would highly recommend.

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Thank you Sarah for this wonderful review and giving us 5 stars across all areas, we are so proud of this!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending this nursery for the past 2 years and she has always loved it from day 1! She is so happy going in each day and has made so much progress with the help of the wonderful team there. All the staff are so kind and caring and really get to know each child and their families.
The facilities are just amazing especially the outside space and all the creative activities that they do. We get kept up to date daily with how she is doing and get to see lovely pictures of her enjoying her time at the nursery.
The nursery really do go above and beyond arranging extra days out of nursery hours such as pumpkin picking, family fun days etc, parents evenings, which is a great chance to meet and speak with other parents and children.
I really could not recommend this nursery enough! We are so grateful to the team here and will be really sad when our daughter leaves to start school.

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Thank you Nicola, we will also miss your daughter when she starts her new adventure at school. Thank you so much for your review.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has been attending Munchkins for just over a year now. The staff are lovely and have always made me feel at ease leaving my son there. He loves it there and is always happy coming out. He took a while to settle but the staff have been amazing at comforting him and making him feel safe. I love
the learning material at the nursery and how homely it feels. Also the meals the children are given sound lovely with an in house chef and my son always eats well. Would definitely recommend this nursery to friends and family.

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Hello Claire, thank you for taking the time to review Munchkins! WOW ...5 stars across the board, thank you so much!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has attended the nursery for a few years now and we've never had any problems. The staff are all so warm to the children and my son has built up the loveliest bonds. The staff really take the time to get to know children's interests and set up brilliant activities for them around this. Bright
and clean facilities and a lovely garden where they spend lots of time.
The nursery is run well and management are always approachable. Highly recommend.

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Hello Viky, thank you so much for your wonderful review. We absolutely love looking after your Munchkin and developing his interests. Thank you for recommending us!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is absolutely thriving at this nursery. She has made good connections with the staff members and also the staff members have made us, the parents, feel very happy to be sending her there. She’s been there since she turned 2 and on days she’s not there asks when she’s going! Everything about
the nursery, from the communication to the activities they do is amazing. Would definitely recommend this nursery to anyone.

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Hello S L, thank you for taking the time to review our nursery and giving it such a glowing review. We are delighted that your little one loves nursery and is happy. This is always our main aim, that our Munchkins feel happy, secure and enjoy coming to nursery!


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The team at Munchkins are amazing. They go above and beyond to ensure every child is happy, achieving and safe. All staff are warm and friendly and they take time to get to know the whole family when working with their children. Their safety measures are brilliant and the children’s needs are always
their priority. My son runs through the door in the morning, looking forward to a fun-packed day with his friends and the team. Their resources are brilliant and the children all find them engaging, building their curiosity to learn more. Thank you so much Munchkins team, I can go to work with peace of mind that my son is in great care and developing so many important skills whilst having fun with you all.

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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little boy absolutely loves it here. He has come so far since joining and always looks forward to attending each day. The staff are lovely.
He has learnt so much since joining and has made lots of friends. His confidence levels have gone through the roof, which is great to see.

Reply from liz makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Thank you so much for your wonderful review. Our team are amazing and we are so proud of how they nurture each child and enable each of our Munchkins to achieve their full potential x


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little girl just loves Munchkins; she can't wait to go in the morning. The nursery setting is just beautiful, and the staff are so loving and caring. I get an update on the app about everything she has done, and I love seeing the videos and photos as to what she has been up to at nursery. The garden
area is filled with lots of fun things for the children to do, such as mud kitchens, an amazing wooden climbing frame and a climbing tunnel. The staff really cannot do enough for me and my little girl, and put me totally at ease when I first left her, now my daughter asks to go to nursery, even when it's not her day to go! I viewed several nurseries before Munchkins, but I knew straight away this was the one for her! I cannot recommend it enough, thank you Munchkins.

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Thank you, Tony, for your lovely comments. We are so pleased that you chose Munchkins as your preferred nursery to care for your little one.


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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son and niece have been attending Munchkins Nursery Dunton Fields since it opened in October last year.
My sister and I were a bit nervous about leaving them all day as we are both first-time mums and have only ever left them with family, they took a few weeks to settle as they only attend 1 day
a week at the moment, but it didn’t take long for them to willingly run in by themselves. The staff are absolutely amazing and send us lovely photos and updates throughout the day to reassure us they are having fun.
At Munchkins, they are always very accommodating with social events and keeping parents involved and are always very welcoming.
My son and niece have so much fun, making things, seeing animals, learning, getting messy and they always come out smiling, they love it at Munchkins and we wouldn’t send them anywhere else.

Reply from Liz Makins, Owner at Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields

Thank you for this wonderful review. We are so pleased that you are now confident to leave your little one with us, as we love looking after your little Munchkin and his cousin. They have settled in beautifully and absolutely blossoming!


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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.835)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.835) out of 10 for Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 14 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 13 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 4.835 for Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields is calculated as follows: ( (143 Excellents x 5) + (15 Goods x 4) + (6 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 164 Ratings = 4.835

  • 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 Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School Dunton Fields is based on 13 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 46 number of registered child places is 9.2, which has been reached with 13 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.

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