Food
Meals are freshly prepared on-site by our own cook using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Dietary preferences, intolerances, and allergies are catered for.
My First Friends Droitwich
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Jun 2022)
Number of places
134 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jun 2022
Local authority
Worcestershire
About this day nursery
Apricot Day Nursery in St Neots offers an intimate and nurturing environment dedicated to early childhood education, drawing on the Montessori approach within a home-like setting. The curriculum prioritises hands-on experiences, child-led learning, and holistic development to foster cognitive, social, and physical growth, confidence, and independence.
The nursery operates across two sites: Apricot Nursery and Apricot Pre-School, ensuring age-appropriate development and a smooth transition to school through its 'Next Stop School' programme. This programme includes activities, teacher interactions, and graduation ceremonies, with a £30 Clarks voucher provided for school shoes upon leaving for primary school.
The nursery emphasises strong parent-nursery partnerships, offering verbal updates, a parent app for digital updates, and an open line of communication. Meals are prepared fresh on-site using seasonal ingredients, catering to various dietary needs.
Each child is assigned a key person for personalised care and communication. The nursery is well-equipped with natural resources to stimulate senses and encourage discovery, with dedicated outdoor play areas for each room.
They also offer a range of extra-curricular clubs and enhancements like Cookery, Budding Movers, Artists, Musicians, Gardeners, and Scientists, which extend their unique Brighter Learning Approach.
Our ethos
Apricot Day Nursery follows the Montessori approach, prioritising hands-on experiences, child-led learning, and holistic development. Their unique Brighter Learning Approach is enriched by a variety of extra-curricular clubs.
What it's like
Children who attend this nursery are exceptionally well cared for and are extremely confident and self-assured. They engage in "risky play" and learn to keep themselves safe, showing enthusiasm and enjoyment in their learning. Independence is encouraged across the nursery, with children using real-life resources and independently accessing tools to develop their own ideas.
Montessori approachOutdoor learningCookery clubNext Stop School programmeFlexible benefits
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Key facts
Opening hours
7:30am - 6:30pm, 51 weeks a year (Full day 8am to 6pm, Early start 7:30am to 8am, Late finish 6pm to 6:30pm)
Term time / All Year
All Year
Session types
Full day, Early start, Late finish
Established
2019
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for My First Friends Droitwich
Last inspected 9 June 2022 · Rebecca Cox
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Children who attend this nursery are exceptionally well cared for and are extremely confident and self-assured. They engage in "risky play" and learn to keep themselves safe, showing enthusiasm and enjoyment in their learning. Independence is encouraged across the nursery, with children using real-life resources and independently accessing tools to develop their own ideas.
Inspector highlights
- Children are exceptionally well cared for, confident and self-assured.
- Highly skilled support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is exemplary.
- Children learn to keep themselves safe through participation in ''risky play'' and wide-ranging activities.
- The nursery benefits from an experienced and inspirational manager and a dynamic staff team.
- Parent partnership is extremely strong, with managers and staff forging strong relationships with parents.
Inspection #10207888 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
best care, making it a home from home
every achievement is celebrated, no matter how small
give love because it is not just a job, they live and breathe the children
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The highly skilled support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is exemplary. The special needs coordinator works alongside staff and outside agencies to ensure children receive the best support, swiftly identifying concerns and involving parents from the start. Targeted one-to-one support or specialist equipment is provided to ensure full inclusion, and visual prompts are used for communication support.
Outdoor space
The outdoor environment is stimulating and promotes children's physical and imaginative play in a rich and varied way. Children can access areas for gardening, climbing, mud play, climbing trees, and enjoy ''risky play'' on the beech tree swing.
Parent Reviews of My First Friends Droitwich
4.9
(29)
Kerry Ashington
6 months ago
My daughters (2 and 3) have attended for nearly two years). Staff are lovely, both children are really happy! Management (Clare and Leanne) have helped me with a number of things in the past, always listen really well, non judgemental and genuinely care. Children are happy going in and coming out of nursery and that's the main thing for me. I love the activities where they have gone out to the local park, or seen the fire engine. Wish they had more of these but understand logistically it won't always be possible. To make even better for us, breakfast until 9 would really help as it's very hectic getting to nursery before 8.30 with the traffic, parking and children from the opposite school. The rooms are always clean and tidy too. I'm always updated via the app with pics which I LOVE! Viv has been key worker to both girls and we all adore her! Thank you Vivi. Thank you for being a super nursery!
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Charlotte Bailey
a year ago
I can't give this nursery enough positive feedback! Leanne and her whole team are the most incredible people, always putting the children at the heart of everything they do. They always do everything they can to support both the children and parents! The rooms are all kept clean and tidy with lots of exciting toys and well-planned activities and natural light, giving the children the best environment. The room leaders and other staff members are always so attentive to my child's needs and I really feel like they all genuinely love and care for him as much as I do and do everything they can to help him succeed! They do such an amazing job at keeping me up to date through the parent app about everything my so gets up to throughout the day. My son has been with this nursery since he was 9/10 months old (he is now 2) and I have never had a bad experience with any aspect of the nursery or the team. My son is always happy and excited to go to nursery here and I can't ask for much more!
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E T
a year ago
My daughter has been at this nursery since 9 months old and she absolutely loves it! All the staff are so kind and really care about the children they are looking after. She is now in the pre-school room and can’t wait to go to Nursery in the morning often saying ‘is it open yet?’ ‘Can we go in yet Mummy?’ She always comes home very happy and smiling and telling us all about her busy day!
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Lydia Overton
a year ago
I always enjoy coming to My First Friends to deliver drama classes! Everyone is so friendly and professional. The children are always happy and comfortable. The team create a really positive and nurturing environment. They go above and beyond to help and support each individual child. It's a wonderful nursery!
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Georgina H
a year ago
An outstanding nursery that is always a joy to visit. The team are extremely passionate and provide amazing learning opportunities for the children, from cookery sessions with the nursery chef to exploring the new resources in the wonderful outdoor area.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for My First Friends Droitwich. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: June 2022
- July 2022Outstanding
- June 2022Outstanding
Frequently asked about My First Friends Droitwich
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