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)
Queenswood Lodge
Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2023)
Number of places
55 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2023
Local authority
Hampshire
About this day nursery
Apricot Day Nursery offers an intimate and nurturing environment in St Neots, focusing on a Montessori approach within a home-from-home setting. The nursery promotes learning through play, with a passionate team providing diverse activities tailored to individual interests.
They offer flexible benefits to families, including not charging for food, enhancements, or consumables, and providing fully funded and part-funded sessions for eligible families. The nursery operates across two sites, with a dedicated Pre-School for older children located nearby.
Apricot Day Nursery also features an enriched curriculum called the "Brighter Learning Approach," which emphasises hands-on experiences, child-led learning, and holistic development in six core areas. Additionally, the nursery offers various extracurricular clubs like Cookery, Budding Movers, Artists, Musicians, Gardeners, and Scientists, which are often held outdoors.
They prioritise strong parent communication, safety, nutritious on-site meals, and a key person system to ensure personalised care. A unique "Next Stop School" programme prepares children for primary school, even offering a £30 Clarks voucher for school shoes upon graduation.
Our ethos
Apricot Day Nursery is committed to the Montessori approach within a home-from-home setting, promoting learning through play with a passionate team. Their "Brighter Learning Approach" emphasises hands-on experiences, child-led learning, and holistic development. They also offer a "Next Stop School" programme to prepare children for primary school.
What it's like
Across the nursery, children show positive attitudes to their learning. They are self-motivated and eagerly explore the inviting activities and resources that staff provide for them. Children show they enjoy their time at the nursery.
Montessori approachOutdoor learningEnriched curriculumClubs and enhancementsNext Stop School programme
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.
Request pricing →Key facts
Term time / All Year
All Year
Established
2020
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Queenswood Lodge
Last inspected 12 January 2023 · Emma Dean
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Across the nursery, children show positive attitudes to their learning. They are self-motivated and eagerly explore the inviting activities and resources that staff provide for them. Children show they enjoy their time at the nursery.
Inspector highlights
- Children show positive attitudes to their learning.
- Children benefit from positive staff role models and they behave well.
- Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs met well.
- Children enjoy plenty of uninterrupted time to play outdoors.
- Parents speak highly of the staff team and the care their children receive.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to have consistently high expectations for children and extend children's independence skills during daily tasks and hygiene routines
- 2continue to build on staff's practice so that all children benefit from consistently high-quality learning experiences.
Inspection #10262827 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
For example, staff encourage parents to borrow home learning bags to support their children's learning even further at home.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) have their needs met well. Staff know how to support children with SEND and tailor this effectively to each individual child's learning. Staff build positive partnerships with external professionals who work with children. This ensures children benefit from high levels of continuity for their care and education.
Outdoor space
Children enjoy plenty of uninterrupted time to play outdoors. They run, balance, build and dig.
Inspection history
Date: January 2023
- February 2023Good
- January 2023Good
Frequently asked about Queenswood Lodge
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