High quality childcare, peppered with love.
About Us
About Munchkins Nursery & Preschool in Wivenhoe
Set in the grounds of King George V Playing Field, a stone's throw from the park, woods, village and quayside, Munchkins Nursery boasts a wonderful semi-rural location, perfect for our outdoor learning approach.
Our children enjoy free-flow access between our nursery, huge rural garden and our beautiful yurt which is situated within our nursery grounds. Child-led activities promote confidence, teamwork, and imagination, whilst our outdoor approach guides them to love and appreciate the natural world.
We care for children from 3 months to 5 years old and provide a range of age-appropriate resources and activities to encourage their development right up until they are ready to take the next step in their educational journey.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is based on the belief that each child is unique and different, and that they all learn in different ways. Our team will go above and beyond to build each child’s confidence and self-esteem, so they are able to develop a natural desire to learn and explore the world around them.
In our nursery, our door is always open to enable free flow between our indoor and outdoor classrooms and environments. We believe that by allowing children to take safe, calculated risks in their play helps create a sense of independence and achievement. At Munchkins, children can express themselves in their own unique way without fear!
-- OUR BOOK --
What Did You Do At Nursery Today?
"What did you do at nursery today?" is a book aimed at helping parents to make the most of their child’s education during their formative early years. Liz and Jo are sisters with a wealth of knowledge in teaching and early years - who jointly own Munchkins Nurseries in Essex.
Who We Are
Munchkins Nursery & Preschool got its start in 2010 by sisters Jo Callaghan and Liz Makins. With 7 children between them, they wanted to create a nursery setting they would have loved their own children to attend!
Since opening their very first setting Jo and Liz’s vision has expanded and they are delighted that all of their settings are now Makaton friendly, with signing embedded in everyday life within the nursery. Additionally, all of Munchkins nurseries have either achieved or are working towards their ‘Just Quality’ platinum award.
We decided to do things a bit differently at Munchkins, and we believe our innovative approach to childcare gives children a bright and positive start in life.
Wellbeing in Early Years Education
Every month, Munchkins host a Wellbeing Day for our children. Our philosophy focuses on the belief that each child is unique and different, and taking time to focus on children’s wellbeing in the early years helps them to recognise that our differences bring joy to our lives.
These days are an opportunity to instil children with self-belief and self-worth, as well as nurturing relationships throughout the nursery. The day it falls on changes each month so that every child will have experience of these special days, no matter what their nursery routine looks like. We divide our Wellbeing Days into a variety of activities and experiences that provide children with time to understand the impact their actions have on others, explore their feelings, and learn to care for themselves. We categorise them into Acts of Service, Healthy Eating, Mindfulness, and Self Regulation.
Wellbeing Days at Munchkins include:
Yoga to support the children's holistic health
Making healthy snacks and talking about our bodies
Smoothie making to learn how to create a healthy & delicious drink
Fitness classes such as running and obstacle courses to support physical wellbeing
Self-regulation tuff trays to learn to manage emotions and understand all emotions are valid
Conversations about our feelings and emotions to be aware of and validate the emotions the children are experiencing
Acts of service, including handing out flowers to people in the community, making gifts for our friends, gardening in the community
Themed days such as a day at the beach or at the salon
Spa days to encourage relaxation
Learning how to care for our bodies such as using sun cream, drinking water, or brushing teeth
Talking about boundaries and how to be kind to others, with tuff trays themed around this
Litter picking
Get Our Free Parent Pack
We’d love to send you a FREE parent pack, full of helpful information about Munchkins Nursery & Preschool.
To request your copy, simply click the button below.
Tapestry
During your child’s time with us, you will get a dedicated key person assigned to you and your child. This key person will record your child’s progress and development. These moments will be shared with you using our online system called Tapestry. In Tapestry, we can upload those special moments - images and videos so that you can share them with your friends and family. You can also upload and share your own special moments with us!
