About Us
Dovedale Nursery is an established part of the community since 1991. We pride ourselves on having family and community at the heart of everything we do. We endeavour to provide a safe, stimulating and nurturing environment where children can learn and develop through play. We strive to ensure every child leaves nursery as a confident, independent learner with a rich vocabulary and a strong foundation for the next stage of their education.
A Welcome from our Nursery Manager
We understand that choosing the right setting for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make. Our aim is to make this process as easy and reassuring as possible by providing a safe, caring, and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
We believe that children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful experiences. With the guidance of our experienced practitioners, children are encouraged to follow their natural curiosity, develop independence, build confidence, and foster a lifelong love of learning.
We work closely with our families, recognising that parents and carers are a child's first and most important educators. Every child is unique, and we celebrate their individual strengths, interests, achievements, and personalities, ensuring they are supported to thrive at their own pace.
We are passionate about providing high-quality opportunities and inclusive provision for all children, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), emerging needs, or those who may simply need a little extra support from time to time. We are committed to ensuring every child can flourish in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
We look forward to welcoming you and your family and being part of your child's journey through these important early years.
Dovedale Nursery is a place where everyone is welcome.
Nursery Dogs
We have two family dogs who regularly visit the nursery to play with the children under close supervision. They've been socialised in the nursery environment since they were young puppies and are very familiar with the different smells and sounds.
They love playing fetch, being fussed, and walked around the nursery garden.
We have had such a positive response to Nellie and Ernie. Some children (and parents) who were very scared of dogs have grown in confidence; the children are learning how to look after pets, understand the importance of being kind and gentle and know what’s good for them.
Opening Times (Monday to Friday)
| Session | Times |
|---|---|
| Nursery | 7.30am to 6pm |
| Golden Eagles | 7am to 8.35am | 3pm to 6pm |
| Moulsham Out of School | 7.15am to 8.35am | 3pm to 6pm |
| Afternoon | 1pm to 4pm |
| Tea Time | 4pm to 5pm |
| Extended Tea Time | 5pm to 6pm |
50 weeks per year - we offer term-time (38 weeks) and full time (50 weeks) contracts
We proudly offer half day sessions and flexibility within the nursery day please discuss with the team during your visit.
We close annually for two weeks over the Christmas break. Please view the Dovedale Calendar for more details.
Prices on request
Staff Structure
Our Nursery Manager, Sarah, has dedicated 20 years of her career to Dovedale Nursery.
Sarah is supported by a team of deputies and an admin assistant who can help with day-to-day queries, admissions, funding, even filling out forms.
We have a Nursery SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator) who can support in lots of different ways.
Our Practitioners are the true heroes of the show and are responsible for daily care of your children. They are kept busy with planning and implementing activities, tracking your children’s development, celebrating birthdays, administering first aid, giving cuddles and reassurance, reading stories, changing nappies or wet clothes, supporting toilet training, helping with weaning, supporting children with naptime, getting involved with messy play and most importantly playing and having fun!
We are owned by Chelmsford College and work closely with them welcoming a range of students for work experience, linking with their special provision team and the expertise of the finance department. Our Nursery lunches are cooked onsite by the kitchen team at the College.
Food & Drink | Nutrition
We recognise the importance of ensuring children are provided with a nutritious, well-balanced diet that lays foundations for a lifetime of good eating habits. We are committed to providing freshly prepared dishes which are designed to support children’s growth, learning, health and wellness. All allergies and dietary requirements are catered for throughout the day.
Our passion for nutrition reflects in staff’s practice. The children enjoy growing fruits and vegetables, talking together about the need for a balanced diet and helping staff to prepare food. Mealtimes are a positive and sociable part of the day.
We are a nut free nursery.
"Snack and mealtimes are exciting social experiences. Staff interactions are incredible. They engage children in sharing experiences and opinions. Older children are encouraged to put waste into the bin, and food is served on plates"
Monday:
Lunch Main: Chicken & butternut squash balti with wholegrain brown pilau rice | Pudding: Sliced peaches with natural yoghurt
Tuesday:
Lunch Main: Sausages, mash potato & low sugar low salt baked beans | Pudding: Melon medley & grapes
Wednesday:
Lunch Main: Roast chicken breast with roast potatoes & mixed vegetables | Pudding: Organic yogurt with strawberry puree
Thursday:
Lunch Main: Italian meatball wholewheat pasta bake with garlic slice | Pudding: Pineapple sticks
Friday:
Lunch Main: Salmon & sweet potato fishcakes with new potatoes & green beans | Pudding: Rice pudding with mandarin segments
Monday:
Lunch Main: Panko breaded baked chicken filet with croquette potatoes & sweetcorn | Pudding: Sliced apple & grapes
Tuesday:
Lunch Main: Cauliflower & mixed vegetable mac 'n' cheese with garlic slice | Pudding: Sliced banana with low fat custard
Wednesday:
Lunch Main: Roast chicken breast with roast potatoes & mixed vegetables | Pudding: Greek yogurt with blueberries
Thursday:
Lunch Main: Chilli Con Carne with Kidney beans, mixed peppers, sweetcorn & mini baked potato | Pudding: Kiwi & satsuma wedges
Friday:
Lunch Main: Oven baked fishfingers with sweet potato wedges & garden peas | Pudding: Low sugar fruit jelly
Date: 19/10/2026 to 23/10/2026
Monday:
Lunch Main: Chicken leek & mushroom fricasse with herby roasted new potatoes | Pudding: Tropical fruit salad with dairy free cream
Tuesday:
Lunch Main: Sizzling pork & rainbow vegetable chow mein with pak choi & beansprouts | Pudding: Apple crumble with low fat custard
Wednesday:
Lunch Main: Roast chicken breast with roast potatoes & mixed vegetables | Pudding: Fromage frais
Thursday:
Lunch Main: Moroccan meatball & chick pea tagine with vegetable cous cous | Pudding: Diced watermelon
Friday:
Lunch Main: Tuna & sweetcorn wholewheat pasta bake with garlic slice | Pudding: Natural yogurt with granola
PLEASE NOTE: In circumstances where availability and delivery issues occur it may be necessary to provide and alternative menu.
Pyjama Drama
We're lucky to have Leanne from Pyjama Drama visit us in Eagles and Fledglings on a weekly basis which the children love!
A message from the Pyjama Drama team:
Established in 2005, we are experts in drama and imaginative play for young children. Everything we do develops children’s life skills, helps educators meet curriculum objectives, and ensures children have enormous fun along the way! Our many incredible customer reviews, show not only that our approach works, but that it works for children the world over!
We offer drama and imaginative play classes and performances in nurseries and preschools.
- 'Dewdrops' class: 6 months to 2 years
- 'Raindrops' class: 2 to 3 years
- 'Rainbows' class: 3 to 4 years
- Interactive Performance: 3 to 4 years
The aim of our programme is not to create future stars of stage and screen. Our programme uses drama to develop life skills - the skills children need to live happy, healthy, successful, and independent lives.
Pyjama Drama is fun, physical, and develops skills that help children:
- Make new friends
- Manage conflict in relationships
- Communicate their ideas, thoughts, and feelings
- Manage their emotions
- Understand others' emotions
- Concentrate at home, nursery or school
- Solve simple problems for themselves
- Make decisions with confidence
Check out the Pyjama Drama website for more information.
Reviews
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"I wanted to leave a review for Dovedale as they have been a fantastic nursery for my daughter. As a first time Mum, I was anxious about the first few weeks of settling in but the staff and my daughter's key person were so reassuring and she settled in brilliantly. Every member of staff I have met at Dovedale is kind, passionate and trustworthy. They genuinely care about my daughter, her happiness and her development and I couldn't be more content with our nursery choice. I recommend them to all my family and friends. Thank you for being so brilliant."
Dovedale Nursery
Chelmsford College
102 Moulsham Street
Chelmsford
CM2 0JQ
