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Bardfield Montessori Day Nursery

Ofsted: Outstanding
(Apr 2022)
·Bardfield Montessori, Braintree Road, Braintree, CM7 4PY · Essex
Number of places
45 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Apr 2022
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Bardfield Montessori Day Nursery, located in Great Bardfield near Braintree, offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children from 6 months up to school age. Housed in a charming converted barn on Bluegates Farm, the nursery benefits from its countryside surroundings, providing ample opportunities for outdoor exploration, including interaction with farm animals and nature walks.

" Children have the freedom to move between indoor and outdoor spaces, selecting activities that align with their individual developmental pace and interests. The nursery prides itself on a dedicated team of long-serving and qualified staff, including degree-level educated Director and Manager, who are committed to delivering exceptional care and early experiences.

They emphasise creating a joyful classroom atmosphere where children develop confidence, politeness, and a readiness for new challenges. The nursery aims to support each child in reaching their full potential, embracing diversity and providing inclusive education.

Parents are viewed as key partners in their child’s education and are encouraged to participate in nursery life.

Our ethos

The nursery's educational approach is rooted in the Montessori curriculum, utilising a "prepared environment" to encourage independent learning. They foster a joyful atmosphere where children can freely explore indoor and outdoor spaces, choosing activities that match their developmental pace and interests, aiming to build confidence, politeness, and readiness for challenges. Bardfield Montessori also values parents as essential partners in their child's education.

What it's like

Children show exceedingly high levels of confidence and independence, using complex words and asking many questions that demonstrate curiosity and eagerness to learn. They handle real-life resources with care and use their imaginative skills to create elaborate play scenarios. Babies consistently work above expected levels of development, showcasing their ability to use small beakers and pour milk from glass jugs.

Montessori EducationFarm Animals InteractionOutdoor ClassroomCountryside SettingDedicated Long-Serving Staff

Pricing & funding

Fees are calculated using a flat hourly rate regardless of the child's age, combined with a daily charge for the Integrated Montessori Package. Charges are billed as a fixed monthly amount. Government funding is accepted and stretched across the entire year.

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
  • unfunded extended school day hourly rate£8.25 / hour
  • unfunded extended all day hourly rate£8.00 / hour
  • Integrated Montessori Package Fee (IMPF)£27.00 / day
  • Transition Charge£80.00
  • Late payment charge£50.00

Good to know

  • Funding is stretched to all year round.
  • Fees are payable monthly by standing order on the 1st of each month.
  • Late payments incur an automatic fee of £50.00 every five days.
  • A 5% discount is offered for children attending five days a week all year round.
  • Term-time only places are limited; ad-hoc sessions can be booked if space permits.

Key facts

Food

All home-cooked meals, snacks, teas, nappies and wipes are included in the fees. Fully funded children must bring a packed lunch and provide their own nappies and wipes.

Waitlist

Waiting list operates; priority given to full-time, all-year-round attendees, then staff children, and siblings of existing children.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, 07:30-18:00, 51 weeks a year (closed between Christmas and New Year).

Age range

6 months to compulsory school age

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Bardfield Montessori Day Nursery

Last inspected 13 April 2022

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding

What it's like to attend

Children show exceedingly high levels of confidence and independence, using complex words and asking many questions that demonstrate curiosity and eagerness to learn. They handle real-life resources with care and use their imaginative skills to create elaborate play scenarios. Babies consistently work above expected levels of development, showcasing their ability to use small beakers and pour milk from glass jugs.

Inspector highlights

  • Children have fantastic opportunities to learn about the world around them, such as by incubating and hatching ducklings.
  • Staff are very intuitive and quickly build on children's emerging play, knowing when to support and when to let children problem-solve independently.
  • The management team is exceptionally strong, combining the Montessori ethos with an ambitious curriculum to promote exceptional progress for all children.
  • Staff morale is exceedingly good, with effective communication and exceptional manners role-modelled.
  • Children have lots of opportunities to make choices, including selecting and preparing healthy snacks and enjoying nutritious home-cooked meals.
Inspection #10237170 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive excellent levels of support. Staff meet with professionals, such as special educational needs coordinators and the local authority, who work alongside parents to support children.

Outdoor space

Children's welfare and physical health are exceptionally well supported. Babies wear all-in-one suits to protect their clothes while they crawl, climb and generally enjoy getting messy in the extensive outdoor area. Older children immerse themselves in more physically demanding play as they challenge themselves to balance and climb between different sized tree trunk stumps.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

13 April 2022

Outstanding

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Bardfield Montessori Day Nursery

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more