Sparrows Playgroup & Pre-school

Sparrows Playgroup & Pre-school Sparrows Playgroup is Mersea Island’s longest established playgroup, having opened over 40 years ago. We are Ofsted Registered and inspected.

Sparrows is Mersea Island’s longest established Playgroup & Pre-school, having first opened over 40 years ago. The current staff employed have up to 30 years' experience in the childcare industry. We are based in the hall at St Peter and St Paul's Parish Church in the heart of West Mersea village. We offer quality and affordable childcare in a friendly, nurturing and qualified environment. There are both indoor and outdoor learning and play areas for the children, with plenty of equipment and resources. We are a charity operated group and are funded through fees, donations and other fundraising activities throughout the year, with the help of a committee and the parents/guardians of our pupils. Our ethos is centered on the all round development of the child. All staff are DBS approved and first aid trained with a focus on paediatrics. Sparrows Playgroup & Pre-school supports all children from 2 – 4 years. Funding is available for children in the term following their third birthday and 2 year funding is also accepted. Morning and afternoon sessions are £15 each and lunch club is £5, so all day would be a total of £35. Children are to bring home packed lunch for lunch club.

*** SPACES ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ***

SESSION TIMES

Monday 9.15am – 11.45am

Tuesday 9.00am – 2.45pm (with lunch club)

Wednesday CLOSED

Thursday 9.00am – 2.45pm (with lunch club)

Friday 9.15am – 11.45pm

13/02/2026

And that’s a wrap for Sparrows 😢😢😢

I know I have only been a part of the team for a year but on the behalf of all of the Sparrows staff over all the amazing years it has been running I just wanted to say a huge thankyou to everyone who has supported us over the years, it would not have been possible to keep running without you all.

We wish all of the children who have been part of Sparrows good luck for the future and we hope you remember your time at Sparrows fondly❤️

I’m sure you will see us around the island 😄

Thankyou for all our lovely cards and presents too, everyone has been so generous 🥰

Ella, Alex and Caroline xx

19/12/2025

And we have finished for Sparrows last Christmas…! We hope we made it special for all the children 🎅 🎁

Thankyou so much for all of the kind words, cards and gifts given to us - you have been so generous, we appreciate it so much🥰

Merry Christmas to everyone and a happy new year 🎉

Ella, Alex and Caroline 😇

We had the brilliant Ben from Spirit of the Wild come to Sparrows last week and we had the best time! He was amazing, th...
15/12/2025

We had the brilliant Ben from Spirit of the Wild come to Sparrows last week and we had the best time! He was amazing, the children absolutely loved it (and the staff too😊) I would recommend Spirit of the Wild for any occasion - who wouldn’t want to cuddle a meerkat on a Tuesday morning!?😌 He came with such a variety of animals with special mentions for bat, husky dog, a meerkat and a chinchilla😍

Thank you SO much for making it so fun for everyone.
Spirit of the Wild - 07375565444

Our Christmas tree entry is up! Please head down to vote today, tomorrow or Sunday at the free church for Sparrows🥰🎄Here...
12/12/2025

Our Christmas tree entry is up! Please head down to vote today, tomorrow or Sunday at the free church for Sparrows🥰🎄

Here’s a sneak peek…👀

Pop down to the Free church this weekend to vote for the Sparrows Christmas Tree entry! 🥰🎄
10/12/2025

Pop down to the Free church this weekend to vote for the Sparrows Christmas Tree entry! 🥰🎄

Our Christmas photoshoot with Carla was absolutely wonderful, I would highly recommend her! She was so kind and engaging...
08/12/2025

Our Christmas photoshoot with Carla was absolutely wonderful, I would highly recommend her! She was so kind and engaging with the children. The props and backdrop were lovely and the photos have come out beautifully. 📸

If your child attended, the photos are ready to purchase, using your unique code on your sheet given out on the day🥰

We hope you love them! 🎄✨

Link to the website: https://www.pintsizeportraits.com/?fbclid=IwRlRTSAOj5MBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeM5OW7Hxg5eTKX33JiMwkLFCmxUPy5V2Mkg55eEEnm-KQhWpmovOr6cfmxeo_aem_t3E63cRXJuqrpY_ArHy6xQ

Nursery Photographer Pint Size Portraits is a popular photography company providing portrait services to Schools, Nurseries & Pre-Schools

01/12/2025

Don’t forget tomorrow is Christmas picture day ! 📸

Everyone will go home with the information on how to view and purchase the photos taken😁

18/11/2025

For any families that wanted to view Mersea School Nursery they have a tour on Monday 15th December at 9:15am - you don’t need to book just turn up at reception! 😁

Tomorrow is Children in Need so any children at Sparrows are welcome to wear something yellow or spotty 🥰
13/11/2025

Tomorrow is Children in Need so any children at Sparrows are welcome to wear something yellow or spotty 🥰

We made a poppy wreath with the children and everyone made a clip on poppy to wear for Rememberance Day to pay tribute t...
11/11/2025

We made a poppy wreath with the children and everyone made a clip on poppy to wear for Rememberance Day to pay tribute to all those who lost their lives at war. The children watched the service from the garden and loved listening to the Bugle being played ❤️

It’s nearly time for Primary School applications for children due to start Reception Class in September 2026! They open ...
05/11/2025

It’s nearly time for Primary School applications for children due to start Reception Class in September 2026! They open on Monday 10th November 🗓️✏️

If your child is due to start Reception Class in September 2026, the Primary School applications will open in one weeks’ time on Monday 10th November!
Talk, Listen, Cuddle have joined up with Emily, a SEND Engagement Facilitator in Essex and a mummy of two. Emily is going to talk through the primary school application process, from visiting the schools, applying online and things she is doing at home with her daughter to support the transition. Stay tuned for the series of videos in our newsfeed!
Click here to watch Emily's first video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjHIJHiCpL0

If you get the chance to pop down to Perrywoods in Tiptree with the children you definitely should - they have the lovel...
05/11/2025

If you get the chance to pop down to Perrywoods in Tiptree with the children you definitely should - they have the loveliest Gruffalo display and range of Julia Donaldson baubles 😊🎄

Address

St Peter & Street Paul's Church Hall
Colchester
CO58QD

Opening Hours

Monday 9:15am - 11:45am
Tuesday 9am - 2:45pm
Wednesday 9am - 2:45pm
Thursday 9am - 2:45pm
Friday 9:15am - 11:45am

Telephone

07854374794

Website

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Our Story

Sparrows Playgroup & pre-school is Mersea Island’s longest established playgroup with over 20 years’ experience. We are based in the church hall at St Peter and St Paul's Parish Church in West Mersea. Sparrows Playgroup supports all children from 2.5 – 4 years. Funding is available for children in the term following their third birthday. We are a charity operated group and are funded through fees, donations and other fundraising activities throughout the year. We are Ofsted Registered. SESSION TIMES Monday 9.15am – 11.45am Tuesday 9.00am – 2.45pm Wednesday CLOSED Thursday 9.00am – 2.45pm Friday 9.15am – 11.45pm Tuesday’s & Thursday’s include a lunch club.