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Sandhills Day Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2022)
·
4.7(15 parent reviews) ·Boston West Business Park, Sleaford Road, Boston, PE21 8EG · Lincolnshire
Number of places
98 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2022
Local authority
Lincolnshire

About this day nursery

Apricot Day Nursery St Neots is a welcoming and nurturing setting that embraces the Montessori approach, providing a home-from-home atmosphere for children. The nursery focuses on supporting children's cognitive, social, and physical development, fostering confidence and independence, and preparing them for a smooth transition to school through its "Next Stop School" programme.

The dedicated team offers diverse, play-based activities tailored to individual interests. The nursery operates across two sites, with a dedicated pre-school setting just a short walk away.

Each room at the nursery benefits from its own secure and age-appropriate outdoor play area, encouraging outdoor exploration in all seasons. The environment is well-resourced with natural materials to stimulate senses and promote discovery and skill-building.

Apricot Day Nursery also offers an enriched curriculum, the "Brighter Learning Approach," which incorporates six core areas: My Happy and Healthy Self, Wonderful World, Super Steam, Raving Readers, Mini Maths, and Confident Speakers and Communicators. The nursery values strong partnerships between staff and families, ensuring open communication and support for parents as well as children.

Our ethos

Apricot Day Nursery St Neots embraces the Montessori approach and fosters children's confidence and independence through its "Next Stop School" programme and "Brighter Learning Approach" curriculum, which includes six core areas. The nursery values strong staff-family partnerships and uses natural materials to encourage discovery and skill-building through play-based activities.

What it's like

Children are curious and eager learners. They explore the natural world through tending to the flowers they have planted in the garden. Staff teach children about the life cycle of plants, as they encourage children to plant seeds, nurture them and watch them grow. Younger children love exploring the soil that has been prepared for growing vegetables.

Montessori approachOutdoor learningEnriched curriculum (Brighter Learning Approach)No extra charges for food, enhancements, or consumables

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, open 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

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Sandhills Day Nursery

Last inspected 5 July 2022 · Charlotte Whalley

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

Children are curious and eager learners. They explore the natural world through tending to the flowers they have planted in the garden. Staff teach children about the life cycle of plants, as they encourage children to plant seeds, nurture them and watch them grow. Younger children love exploring the soil that has been prepared for growing vegetables.

Inspector highlights

  • The management team recognises the diverse community in which the setting is situated and works effectively with relevant organisations to meet the different needs that children and families have.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are progressing well in their learning and development.
  • Managers have considered what they can do to offer a broad range of experiences to children, including ballet lessons and additional sports coaching.
  • The management team has a clear vision for what they want children to learn.
  • Staff use encouraging strategies to shape children's positive behaviour and work in close partnership with parents.

Areas to develop

  • 1continue to mentor and coach staff so that they build confidence and can fulfil their roles with increased ability
  • 2strengthen staff's knowledge regarding what they want children to learn from routine daily activities and how they can provide further support, particularly during lunchtime routines
  • 3refine the key-person system so that it is fully effective in meeting children's individual care needs.
Inspection #10205540 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents say that their children with SEND have access to community provisions and the services they need because they attend the nursery.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are progressing well in their learning and development. Staff tailor the curriculum to ensure children with SEND are able to participate alongside their peers.

Outdoor space

Children explore the natural world through tending to the flowers they have planted in the garden. Younger children love exploring the soil that has been prepared for growing vegetables, developing their imaginations as they use trucks to transport the soil around the garden while staff encourage them to "scoop" the soil with their diggers.

EAL / language support

Staff make links with translation services to communicate with families who do not speak English. They work closely with the appropriate services to support families who need additional help. This means that all children can access the early education that they are entitled to.

Parent Reviews of Sandhills Day Nursery

4.7
(15)
Rachael Henderson
10 months ago

I had a wonderful visit to The Old Station Nursery Group Sandhills Boston, where Manager Jodie Keal warmly welcomed me and showed me around their beautiful setting. The nursery’s environment is calm, inviting, and truly designed with children in mind. It was inspiring to learn more about how the team supports children and families as part of their Next Stop School journey. There's a clear and passionate focus on preparing children for the next stage of their learning, and the emphasis on building positive learning connections really stood out. As partnership manger working at Realise and supporting TOSN, I had the opportunity to talk with some of the apprentices at the nursery and gather their feedback about their apprenticeship journey with Realise, the support they receive from their trainer and their managers. The apprentices are thriving and making excellent progress. Thank you to Jodie and the team for such an insightful and lovely visit.

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Hayley Cranfield
a year ago

My daughter has been at Sandhills day nursery Boston since she was nine months old and she is now turning two. I have never had any problems in all my time of being there so far and only have good things to say. It is clear to see how much the staff love, care and adore the children in their care and this makes it so much easier as a parent to leave my child to go to work knowing she is being cared for and having so much fun. It is the most welcoming environment with the best learning opportunities and I am so grateful that my child gets to attend such a wonderful nursery. ☺️

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Tracy Berry
a year ago

A wonderful nursery for children. I visited this nursery last week where I was greeted by welcoming staff, happy children and a great environment. You could see everyone really cared about the children and had wonderful bonds. A great place for a child to grow, explore and learn.

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Melissa Mason
10 months ago

Such a lovely nursery, my daughter absolutely loves it and she’s learnt so much. All the staff are excellent and nothing is too much trouble, no complaints at all

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Marika Cuvikova
a year ago

Amazing nursery, my child loved every single day in there. Teachers are amazing lots of love and support they give to kids. Really sad that its last day for my son . Recommend 100% ❤️

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Sandhills Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: July 2022

  • August 2022Good
  • July 2022Good

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