Safari Childcare Preschool & Full Day Care

Safari Childcare Preschool & Full Day Care Safari Childcare is an established full day care setting caring and educating children from 3 months to 5 years. Welcome to our Safari Childcare page.

We have created this page to share some of the fun things we do and to share helpful hints and tips relating to a range of topics, from weaning to getting your little ones ready for school. Safari Childcare is a family run setting with over 35 years experience in childcare. We pride ourselves on offering flexible, affordable, quality childcare offering a 'home from home' experience. Safari Childcare is committed to providing quality childcare for all children in a safe,caring environment, whilst meeting each child’s individual social, physical and emotional needs. We offer free childcare for all 3 and 4 years and some 2 year olds. Please contact us to find out more information.

🎉👩‍🍳 WE HAVE SOME VERY EXCITING NEWS! 👩‍🍳🎉We are incredibly proud to announce that our wonderful Head Chef, Kerry, has b...
05/10/2026

🎉👩‍🍳 WE HAVE SOME VERY EXCITING NEWS! 👩‍🍳🎉

We are incredibly proud to announce that our wonderful Head Chef, Kerry, has been named a FINALIST for Nursery Chef of the Year at the 2026 National NMT Nursery Awards! 🏆💚

Over the past two years, we have worked incredibly hard to transform our approach to food and nutrition at Safari. From our Savannah Kitchen and nutritious menus to Plant to Plate, Mini Chefs and TastEd, we want children to do more than simply eat well — we want them to grow, explore, prepare and develop a positive relationship with food. 🌱🥕🍎

Kerry has been at the heart of that journey, and seeing her passion, hard work and commitment recognised nationally is something we are incredibly proud of. 🥹💚

A huge congratulations to Kerry and to all of this year's finalists — what a fantastic achievement and wonderful recognition of the people doing amazing things across Early Years. 👏🌟
Whatever happens on awards night, Kerry, we're already incredibly proud of you! 🦁💚

01/09/2026

🦖🌟 Hard work deserves ROAR-some recognition! 🌟🦖

At Safari, positive behaviour isn't simply about being “good” — it's about recognising the skills and qualities we want our children to carry with them as they grow. 💚

Our Dinosaurs help us celebrate those special moments when children show kindness, perseverance, independence, problem-solving or keep trying when something feels tricky. 🦕✨

Our Pride focus on recognising the effort and positive choices, not just the end result:
💬 “You kept trying even when that was difficult!”
💬 “I noticed how kind you were to your friend.”
And sometimes... when you've absolutely smashed it, only a DINOSAUR will do! 😂🦖🏆

Building confident, resilient children who are proud of themselves — that's the Safari way. 🦁💚

🚨⏰ PARENTS – DON'T MISS THE 31st AUGUST DEADLINE! ⏰🚨If you're hoping to access funded childcare from September 2026, now...
18/08/2026

🚨⏰ PARENTS – DON'T MISS THE 31st AUGUST DEADLINE! ⏰🚨

If you're hoping to access funded childcare from September 2026, now is the time to make sure everything is sorted! 🎒🦁

Eligible working parents can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week from the term after their child turns 9 months old, but you must have applied and received your eligibility code by 31st August to access the entitlement from September to December 2026.

❗ Miss the deadline and you will have to wait until January 2027 to access your funded entitlement.

✅ Already have a code?
Don't forget that eligibility needs to be reconfirmed every 3 months – even if your child hasn't started using their funded hours yet. Log into your childcare account and check your reconfirmation date.

🆕 Need to apply?
The application is completed online and, once approved, you'll receive an 11-digit eligibility code to give to your childcare provider.

👉 Check your eligibility and find out more through the Government's Best Start in Life service:

https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/

💚 Please don't leave it until the last minute!*Applications can sometimes require additional checks, so we'd encourage families who haven't yet applied to do so as soon as possible.

If you're joining Safari Childcare this Autumn, please make sure we have your valid funding code and the information needed to verify it.

🦁 September will be here before we know it!

🌿🍃 When Nature Becomes the Classroom... 🍃🌿Our Preschool children have been exploring the wonderful world of nature throu...
13/08/2026

🌿🍃 When Nature Becomes the Classroom... 🍃🌿

Our Preschool children have been exploring the wonderful world of nature through nature rubbings! 🎨

Using paper and colourful chalks, the children investigated leaves, tree bark, flowers and other natural treasures, watching with excitement as hidden patterns and textures appeared on their pages like magic. ✨

But behind this simple activity is so much wonderful learning.
🍂 Understanding the World – noticing differences in plants, textures and natural materials.
✋ Physical Development– strengthening hands and developing the fine motor control needed for future writing.
🎨 Expressive Arts & Design – experimenting with colour, pattern and different creative techniques.
💬 Communication & Language – introducing new vocabulary and encouraging children to describe what they can see and feel.
🧠 Curiosity & Investigation – asking questions, making discoveries and learning through first-hand experiences.

At Safari Childcare, our curriculum encourages children to explore, investigate and be curious about the world around them. Sometimes the richest learning opportunities are waiting just outside the door! 🌳💚

🏡 Why not continue the learning at home? Pop some paper and crayons or chalks in your bag on your next family walk and see how many different textures you can discover together.

Tree bark, leaves, benches, bricks... what will you find?

📸 We'd love to see your nature discoveries!

🌞🌙 Understanding the World Around Us🌙🌞Today the moon is playing peekaboo with the sun! ☀️🙈 It's the perfect chance to in...
12/08/2026

🌞🌙 Understanding the World Around Us🌙🌞

Today the moon is playing peekaboo with the sun! ☀️🙈 It's the perfect chance to introduce our little explorers to something magical happening in the sky.

👶 How to explain it simply:

For our preschool friends, keep it short, playful and full of wonder:

🗣️ "Today the moon is going to move in front of the sun, just like when you hide behind your hands and then peek out! For a little while, the sun might look like it has a little bite taken out of it, like a cookie! 🍪"

Simple ideas to talk about together: 🌙 The moon is having a little dance in front of the sun ☀️ The sky might look a little bit different for a while 🍪 The sun may look like a cookie with a bite out of it 👋 It's a fun, safe thing to notice — as long as we never look straight at the sun!

⚠️ SAFETY FIRST — every time, no exceptions:
🚫 NEVER look directly at the sun — not even for a second, and not even when it looks "less bright" 🚫 No sunglasses, no phone cameras, no peeking through fingers — none of these protect little eyes ✅ The safest way for little ones to enjoy the eclipse is to make it into a game they watch on the ground, not in the sky!

10/08/2026

🪵🌿 Why are children playing with sticks, stones and pinecones? 🌿🪵

At Safari Childcare, these aren't just natural objects... they're powerful learning tools.

Loose Parts Play encourages children to use their imagination, creativity and problem-solving skills by exploring open-ended resources that can become anything they want them to be.

Today, a stick might be a magic wand.
Tomorrow, it could become a fishing rod, a bridge or part of a dinosaur habitat.

There are no instructions and no right or wrong answers—just endless opportunities to think, create and discover.

Inspired by Simon Nicholson's Theory of Loose Parts, this approach is an integral part of our curriculum because we know children learn best when they are given the freedom to explore, experiment and lead their own learning.

At Safari Childcare, every environment is carefully planned to spark curiosity and turn everyday objects into extraordinary adventures.

Because sometimes, the simplest resources create the biggest learning. 🦁💚

💛 Sometimes, all a child needs is a hug. 💛At Safari Childcare, we know that the most important part of what we do isn't ...
08/08/2026

💛 Sometimes, all a child needs is a hug. 💛

At Safari Childcare, we know that the most important part of what we do isn't the activities, the resources or even our wonderful curriculum... (although they are amazing!)

It's the relationships.

Every member of our Pride genuinely cares about the children in our care. We celebrate every milestone, cheer every achievement and encourage children to believe in themselves. But we also know that sometimes a child simply needs a reassuring cuddle, a listening ear or someone to remind them that they're safe, valued and never alone.

Whether we're celebrating a big achievement, helping a child overcome a challenge or simply offering a comforting hug, we are there every step of the way.

Because when children feel loved, secure and understood, they develop the confidence to explore, learn and thrive.

At Safari Childcare, your child isn't just another name on a register—they become part of our Safari family, and we care for them as if they were our own. 🦁💚

07/08/2026

🥔🌱 From Plant to Plate... and Every Step in Between! 🌱🥔

At Safari Childcare, we believe children develop a lifelong love of healthy food when they understand where it comes from.

As part of our Plant to Plate Safari Signature Session, our little explorers have been busy growing their very own potatoes! 🌿 Watching them transform from tiny seed potatoes into a delicious crop has been an exciting journey of discovery, patience and wonder.

There's something truly magical about seeing a child's face light up as they uncover the potatoes they've nurtured. It's these real-life experiences that inspire curiosity, encourage healthy eating habits and create memories that last a lifetime.

At Safari Childcare, we don't just talk about healthy food—we help children **grow it, harvest it and enjoy it**.

Because the best learning is hands-on. 🦁🌿

06/08/2026

🦀🌊 **Learning Through Play, One Adventure at a Time!** 🌊🦀

At first glance, this might look like a child simply playing...

But look a little closer, and you'll discover a world of learning.

Today's invitation to play challenged the children to help a little crab who was "stuck" in the water, encouraging them to think about where different animals live and how habitats help them survive.

As they explored, the children were:
🦀 Solving problems and thinking critically.
🌍 Learning about different habitats and the natural world.
💬 Developing language through storytelling and conversation.
🧠 Using their imagination to create their own adventures.
🤲 Building confidence by leading their own learning.

At Safari Childcare, our tough trays are never just activities—they're carefully planned invitations that spark curiosity, encourage questions and inspire children to become confident little explorers.

Because when learning is meaningful, hands-on and fun, children don't even realise just how much they're learning. 💛🦁

Address

Colchester

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 7am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 7am - 6:30pm
Thursday 7am - 6:30pm
Friday 7am - 6:30pm

Telephone

+441206546824

Website

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