Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm
Smiths Children, a childcare setting on non-domestic premises in Cambridge (CB4 3DZ), was registered in 2011 and operates with a Montessori philosophy. The nursery provides full-day care from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, all year round, with the exception of bank holidays and one week at Christmas.
They cater to children aged 0 to 4 years, with a total capacity of 45 children and currently 41 on roll. Smiths Children employs a dedicated team of 10 childcare staff, with eight holding appropriate early years qualifications, including one with qualified teacher status.
The setting offers funded early education for three- and four-year-old children. The latest Ofsted inspection on 30th March 2022 rated Smiths Children as "Good" across all areas, including the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.
The previous inspection also awarded a "Good" rating, highlighting consistent quality. The team at Smiths Children is known for its nurturing care, creating a welcoming environment where children form strong attachments with their key persons.
They skilfully support children's physical development and foster positive social interactions, ensuring a supportive and engaging environment for all.
What it's like
Children receive a warm welcome from staff and show they feel happy and safe in their nurturing care, forming strong attachments to their key person. Staff get to know children well and are sensitive to their individual needs, supporting their emerging language skills. Children's behaviour is good, and older children are learning to manage their feelings and develop social skills.
Funding accepted
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 8am until 6pm
Term time / All Year
All_year
Established
2011
Last inspected 30 March 2022
What it's like to attend
Children receive a warm welcome from staff and show they feel happy and safe in their nurturing care, forming strong attachments to their key person. Staff get to know children well and are sensitive to their individual needs, supporting their emerging language skills. Children's behaviour is good, and older children are learning to manage their feelings and develop social skills.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Inclusion & environment
While children enjoy being outdoors, the curriculum content is not yet consistently embedded in the outdoor area to guide children's learning in meaningful ways. Staff are working to strengthen planning for outdoor activities to ensure they offer the same rich experiences as indoor learning.
Wonderful Nursery with Exceptional Care and Amazing Food! We couldn’t be happier with the experience our daughter has had at Smiths Children Montessori. From the moment she started, the staff have been incredibly welcoming, nurturing, and attentive. The level of care they provide is exceptional, and it’s clear they genuinely care about each child’s individual needs and development. They care just like family would. One of the things we love most is the balance between structured learning and creative play. The Montessori teaching method, led by qualified AMI Guides, has really helped our daughter grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity. We’ve seen remarkable progress in her development, especially in how she interacts with others and approaches new challenges. The nursery also has great facilities, including a secure outdoor area where the children can explore and play safely. We particularly appreciate the regular walks to local attractions, which provide exciting opportunities for the children to engage with the world around them. The fact that all meals, including breakfast, lunch, snacks, and tea, are included in the price is a bonus—it’s a relief knowing she’s eating a variety of nutritious meals every day. Another highlight is the ParentZone app, which allows us to follow her learning journey and see photos of her day. It’s such a joy to receive regular updates and feel connected to her experiences at nursery. On top of that, they offer early years government funding, can pay through tax free childcare and we’ve also benefited from the 10% sibling discount, all of which is a big help for families like ours. The staff are always approachable and happy to discuss any questions or concerns, which makes us feel even more confident in our decision to send her here. Overall, we are so grateful to have found Smiths Children Montessori and would highly recommend it to any parent looking for a warm, safe, and stimulating environment for their child.
Read on GoogleI couldn't be more grateful for the warm and welcoming environment that the Montessori nursery provided for my daughter. The staff are attentive, caring, and my daughter regularly talks of all the fun activities she has experienced. The community here is supportive, and I appreciate the open communication that the school maintains with parents. I highly recommend this Montessori nursery to other parents looking for a nurturing and stimulating environment for their children.
Read on GoogleWe cannot think of a better nursery. Top of the tops. Our eldest daugther is now at primary school and after two years at the nursery now she is extremely confident, is able to read and write and is well beyond the knowkedge expected for her age. Our youngest daugther is doing also very well. She is happy and enjoys every minute there. We are extremely please with the staff and the management, always there and very supportive. The best option for my kids no doubt! :-)
Read on GoogleI used Smiths children for a number of years until my LO reached school age. I would certainly recommend them to any parent who appreciates the benefits of the Montessori approach. My son has just started school and can count higher than children 4 years older than him! Georges carer (Ingrid) was really attentive and really connected with him which made it much more enjoyable for him and less stressful to drop him off. Thank you Max and Pam as well for giving a single parent one less thing to worry about. Definite thumb up!
Read on GoogleA fantastic nursery which my daughter enjoyed a lot. The staff people are really fond of kids, not only providing the great diversity of activities for the development of kids but being really very attentive and caring for them.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Smiths Children. See all on Google Maps
Date: May 2012
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Smiths Children.
Cambridge · CB4 3EP
Cambridge · CB4 1XA
Cambridge · CB4 3HN
Cambridge · CB3 0EH
Cambridge · CB4 1DD
Sidgewick Avenue · CB3 9DA
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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