Apricot Day Nursery, located in St Neots, is an intimate and nurturing childcare setting that supports children's cognitive, social, and physical development, while also boosting their confidence and independence in preparation for school. The nursery operates across two sites, with a dedicated pre-school just a short walk away for when children are ready for the next stage.
Emphasising a home-from-home atmosphere, Apricot Day Nursery follows the Montessori approach, where learning unfolds through play. The passionate team designs diverse activities informed by children's individual interests, ensuring each day offers unique learning opportunities.
The nursery's rooms are thoughtfully equipped with natural resources to foster independence, encourage discovery, and build skills. Access to safe, enclosed outdoor play areas for each age group allows children to explore nature and learn in all weather conditions.
Apricot Day Nursery also implements its unique Brighter Learning Approach, an advanced take on the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, which encourages hands-on experiences, child-led learning, and holistic development. They also offer a 'Next Stop School' programme to help children smoothly transition to primary education.
What it's like
Children and babies explore happily at this nursery, learning to be independent and choosing from interesting activities. They behave well, encouraged by staff who are good role models and provide positive praise. Children are also encouraged to use good manners.
Funding accepted
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Food
Meals are freshly prepared on-site by our own cook. We use fresh, seasonal ingredients to create a variety of nutritious meals that rotate regularly. Dietary preferences are taken seriously, and we cater to all requirements, including food intolerances and allergies.
Opening hours
7.30am - 6.30pm
Age range
Babies to pre-school
Term time / All Year
All Year
Last inspected 30 March 2023
What it's like to attend
Children and babies explore happily at this nursery, learning to be independent and choosing from interesting activities. They behave well, encouraged by staff who are good role models and provide positive praise. Children are also encouraged to use good manners.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents are extremely happy with the care their children receive at this nursery.
They highlight the careful care and attentiveness their children receive from staff, and state that they feel their children's needs are met well.
Parents praise the continuous communication they receive about their children's learning and the support staff give to help children progress at home.
Inclusion & environment
Staff provide effective support to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). They identify gaps in children's development at an early stage and act promptly to address them. Staff plan precisely to help children to achieve key steps and work closely with other professionals to ensure they receive specialist help or support.
All children make good progress in their physical development. Staff provide a wide range of opportunities to extend children's core strength, balance and coordination both indoors and outside. For instance, babies confidently negotiate the sloped garden and delight as they mount the steps to use the slide, while young children use bikes, throw and catch balls, and roll hoops in the garden. Older children role play on the large pirate ship climbing frame.
The nursery has a wonderful holistic, natural feel, which I just didn’t get from other nurseries I viewed within the area. Harriet was proactive and got in contact with me within hours of me initially enquiring and fitted me in the next day for a show-around. Since my son has started he particularly loves the daily extra-curricular activities and the care home trip recently. He is thriving —he even teaches me French words now! I can’t recommend whitstable choo choos enough!
Read on Google
Our child loves the lovely rooms, which are bright and stimulating. Harriet and her team are so passionate. We especially appreciate the engaging activities such as daily cooking classes and yoga sessions. Highly recommended!
Read on Google
This is a lovely nursery. The changes they have made are really impactful. My child always comes home so happy and tells me everything she has learnt that day. Her key person always gives detailed hand overs and I feel like I'm leaving her in safe hands. The manager Harriet has always been there to help with any questions and sets up brilliant parent events, the attention to detail is outstanding.
Read on Google
I wanted to share our amazing experience with Whitstable Choo Choo's day nursery. I was originally really nervous about my daughter starting nursery but i didn't need to be as the team were so supportive and I even had updates not only from the key person but also the nursery manager. We also love the parent events where I've got to meet other mum and dads and now have new friends. Recently, I had a parents evening and it really made me feel a part of my child's learning journey. Overall, brilliant nursery and I couldn't recommend more.
Read on Google
Our child absolutely thrives at whitstable choo choos! The manager consistently arranges a fantastic array of activities that truly makes this nursery unique. From exciting visits from the police, ambulance, fire station and charities! Etc As well as a great range of extracurricular activities, my son particularly enjoys the French lessons and yoga! Theres always something engaging and enriching happening. These diverse experiences are invaluable and contribute significantly to my child’s development and happiness - There is a fantastic team at Whitstable choo choos! Highly recommend to anyone
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Choochoos Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Most recent inspection
30 March 2023
Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.
View full Ofsted reportChoochoos Day Nursery re-registered in 2021 and is located in Whitstable, Kent. The nursery is open five days a week from 8am to 6pm, all year round. The provider receives funding to provide free early education for children age two, three and four years, and has 19 members of staff, with varying levels of early years qualifications.
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Choochoos Day Nursery.
Whitstable · CT5 1HT
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Whitstable · CT5 4LH
Whitstable · CT5 4LZ
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Whitstable · CT5 4LT
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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
