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Apple Tree Montessori Nursery School in Saltdean

Ofsted: Good
(Apr 2025)
·
5.0(68 parent reviews)
·The Oval Park, Saltdean, BN2 8SJ · Brighton and Hove
Number of places
30 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2025
Local authority
Brighton and Hove

About this day nursery

Apple Tree Montessori Nursery School in Saltdean is dedicated to providing an intimate and nurturing environment for children from birth to school age. The nursery emphasizes small class sizes, typically accommodating 20-30 children, to ensure personalized attention and foster strong relationships between children and staff.

Their philosophy centers on the belief that a secure and individualized setting promotes confidence, curiosity, and independent development. The Montessori framework is a key aspect of their educational approach, designed to support children's progression in their learning journey.

They aim to make high-quality childcare accessible and affordable, accepting various government funding schemes and maintaining competitive pricing, even offering a price match guarantee. The school also offers a free taster session.

Our ethos

Apple Tree Montessori Nursery School follows the Montessori framework, believing that a secure and individualized setting fosters confidence, curiosity, and independent development. They are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment with personalized attention due to small class sizes.

What it's like

Babies and children are very happy and settled in this homely, family-orientated nursery. Staff are especially kind and caring and very attentive to children's needs. Children become confident, independent learners as staff encourage children's natural curiosity and desire to explore from a young age.

Montessori EducationSmall Class SizesGovernment Funding AcceptedCompetitive PricingFree Taster Sessions

Pricing & funding

The nursery offers funded and unfunded childcare with sessions spanning half days, school days, or full days. Term-time only care over thirty-eight weeks is also available upon request, and a price match guarantee is offered for equivalent local sessions.

Funding accepted

30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-oldsTax-Free Childcare
  • Unfunded Half Day£44.50 / day
  • Unfunded School Hours Day£73.50 / day
  • Unfunded Full Day£79.50 / day

Good to know

  • Term-time only sessions (38 weeks) are available upon request.
  • Price match guarantee offered for equivalent local sessions of reputable quality.

Key facts

Session types

Half Day (8-1pm or 1-6pm), School Hours Day (8-4pm), Full Day (8-6pm), Term Time Only (38 weeks session)

Opening hours

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Age range

Babies to Preschoolers

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Apple Tree Montessori Nursery School

Last inspected 10 April 2025

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Babies and children are very happy and settled in this homely, family-orientated nursery. Staff are especially kind and caring and very attentive to children's needs. Children become confident, independent learners as staff encourage children's natural curiosity and desire to explore from a young age.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders work hard to establish high quality provision.
  • Teaching is consistently good.
  • The nursery curriculum offers clear progression for babies, toddlers and older children.
  • Staff make full use of the local area to broaden children's experiences.
  • The promotion of children's literacy awareness at nursery is good.

Areas to develop

  • 1review and improve the organisation of the daily routine, particularly transition times, so that babies and children remain positively engaged in purposeful learning experiences
  • 2strengthen the links with parents to help them support children's interests in literacy at home.
Inspection #10392292 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Some staff have developed their understanding of how to support children with additional learning needs. Staff quickly identify if any child needs extra help with their learning and work closely with parents and other professionals, if needed.

Outdoor space

When children get ready to go outside, the routine is chaotic and the younger children wait for long periods, which leads to them becoming slightly unsettled.

Parent Reviews of Apple Tree Montessori Nursery School

5.0
(68)
l p
5 months ago

We can’t thank Apple Tree Saltdean enough for looking after Ari. Since he joined in September he settled in so quickly, I was so nervous about him starting nursery but seeing how much he is loved and cared for by the team I was reassured very quickly. It’s so lovely to hear about the things he gets up to in the day and he is absolutely thriving. Special shout outs to Millie, Charley and Brodie the love you show Ari is just lovely and I’m so glad he’s got wonderful people looking after him! Thank you ❤️

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Rhea Suazo
a year ago

My daughter attended Apple Tree Nursery until she graduated and I must say the care and attention the team has given her is exceptional! My daughter is always excited to go to school and learn new things. She blossomed into a confident, happy, artistic child with the help of the lovely team! There is always an activity that they facilitate like going to the beach, visit the library, or play at the playground so the kids are always engaged. Now that my daughter is at reception, she misses Apple Tree and wants to go back! Thank you so much to the whole team for the love and care you have given my daughter! I have recommended you to my mom friends as well! Keep up the great work!

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Freya Elliott
a year ago

My daughter has been attending Apple tree for 8 months now & I honestly couldn’t praise them enough! My daughter has thrived & gained so much confidence through attending the setting. The staff go above & beyond for all the children in their care providing amazing care to all I would recommend Apple tree nursery to everyone & their little ones looking for a nursery.

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Alex Tresilian
2 years ago

When our eldest daughter graduated to the local primary school, we were so happy with the excellent care and attention given by the staff at Apple Tree in Saltdean, we had no hesitation in signing-up our youngest when she was of age. Once again, we've been delighted with her progress there and the connection she has made with the brilliant Brodie, Theresa, Cristina and team. Her transition was seamless, she seems to thrive on being around other kids, and she's happy every pick up. As a parent that's priceless and all we could ask for! If you're looking at options for childcare for your little one, would urge you to consider Apple Tree ... we couldn't recommend them more

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Oscar Hidalgo
a year ago

We can't praise Apple Tree enough, from day one, they’ve been incredibly welcoming, going above and beyond to make sure our 3-year-old always felt at home. In the beginning she would be quite upset and often cry just from the separation anxiety, but the staff would always send us a picture of her 2-min later, playing away with a huge smile and a little note of what she was up to. This obviously made it very clear to us that we had nothing to worry about. The staff always seem to be very kind and attentive, offering plenty of one-on-one time, which makes us all feel quite special and makes all the difference to us when comparing with other perhaps more corporate alternatives. It’s clear that they genuinely care about the children, and that warmth shines through in everything they do. My daughter now more often than not will rush to the gates with a big grin, looking forward to what the Apple Tree might have to offer. It truly feels like a very nurturing and positive environment, which has helped her thrive both socially and emotionally. We highly recommend Apple Tree Nursery to any parent looking for a supportive and engaging environment for their little ones.

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Reviews from Google for Apple Tree Montessori Nursery School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: July 2018

  • April 2025Good
  • August 2019Good
  • July 2018Good

Frequently asked about Apple Tree Montessori Nursery School

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