Apricot Day Nursery in St Neots offers a nurturing and intimate environment where children aged across different groups can thrive. The nursery embraces the Montessori approach, fostering learning through play and offering a diverse range of activities tailored to individual interests.
The curriculum is enriched by the unique Brighter Learning Approach, which goes beyond traditional methods to provide real-life experiences and promote child-led learning in six core areas, including holistic health, global awareness, STEAM, reading, maths, and communication. The facility boasts age-appropriate outdoor play areas for each of its three rooms, encouraging exploration in all weather conditions.
The nursery also runs a "Next Stop School" programme to ease the transition to primary education, providing support for both children and parents, including a £30 Clarks voucher for school shoes upon graduation. Meals are freshly prepared on-site using seasonal ingredients, catering to various dietary needs.
Apricot Day Nursery prioritises strong parent-nursery partnerships through regular communication, a dedicated key person system, and digital updates via a parent app. The nursery is committed to safety, adhering to stringent standards from Ofsted and other regulatory bodies, and also offers various extracurricular clubs such as cooking, music, art, gardening, movement, and science to further enhance children's development.
Our ethos
Sunhill Montessori Nursery embraces the Montessori approach, focusing on child-led learning through play and real-life experiences. Their Brighter Learning Approach enhances this by covering six core areas: holistic health, global awareness, STEAM, reading, maths, and communication. They also support the transition to school with a "Next Stop School" programme and prioritise parent partnerships.
What it's like
Children at the nursery are happy, settled and confident. They are extremely confident and proudly show visitors what they are playing with. Children of all ages make good progress in their learning and development.
Funding accepted
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
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, 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
Established
1999
Last inspected 22 November 2022 · Amy Clarkson
What it's like to attend
Children at the nursery are happy, settled and confident. They are extremely confident and proudly show visitors what they are playing with. Children of all ages make good progress in their learning and development.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
parents report positively about the levels of communication from staff.
the nursery is a 'wonderful, safe and exciting setting'.
Inclusion & environment
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are well supported. Effective strategies are implemented to ensure that children get support early. Staff support children who speak English as an additional language, using key words in their home language to help children communicate their needs.
Children come together to play in the outside area. Each age group has access to different areas, with different activities to take part in. Children choose which activities they want to engage in, such as drawing, splashing in muddy puddles, and manoeuvring ride-on toys. Younger children climb in and out of a ball pit, developing their muscle strength. Older children pretend to 'cook' different foods and serve them to their friends.
Staff support children who speak English as an additional language, using key words in their home language to help children communicate their needs.
From the very beginning, this nursery has felt like an extension of our family. My second daughter, who is highly sensitive, started nursery in September 2025, and the care and understanding she receives continues to exceed all expectations. The staff are incredible, with special mention to Lucy, Charlotte, Jan, Fatima and Anna, who consistently go above and beyond. When food allergies arose for my daughter, they adapted immediately, putting clear measures in place and taking all the stress off me as a parent. Their reassurance and proactive approach have been invaluable. What truly sets this nursery apart is how deeply they care. Everything I share about my daughter is remembered and reflected in how they adapt her day to suit her individual needs. I trust them implicitly and know she is safe, understood and genuinely cared for. This nursery truly feels like extended family. My only criticism at all is the car park which is an absolute hazard and needs to be fixed urgently.
Read on Google
Sunhill is the most wonderful nursery. The staff are all so kind and attentive, I feel so lucky to have found such a calm and caring environment for my little one. I've had no concerns at all since the settling in sessions as the staff are so fantastic and give such lovely updates each day. Everyone is so warm and welcoming. The facilities are great too, with an amazing garden. I can't recommend it enough.
Read on Google
My son has attended the nursery for nearly a year! The staff are so attentive to his needs and he is so happy there. He has such a strong bond with his key person and no task is too much. I love the big outdoor space and how much they go outside whatever the weather. Highly recommend this beautiful nursery.
Read on Google
A beautiful nursery tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the busy town but still super accessible. The staff are warm, welcoming and passionate in their practice. I loved the newly refurbished garden with separate spaces for the age groups and a gorgeous gruffalo walk. I really like the curriculum they offer with a lovely school package when your little one goes to school with a backpack and even a Clark’s voucher for your child’s first pair of school shoes. Highly recommend! 🌟
Read on Google
The location of this nursery is absolutely stunning and the outdoor space is second to none. The whole team are incredibly friendly, professional, passionate and genuinely caring. It has such a lovely atmosphere, and the children look very happy, engaged and well looked after.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Sunhill Montessori Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Date: June 2005
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Sunhill Montessori Nursery.
Northchurch · HP4 3TQ
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Berkhamsted · HP4 2ST
Tring · HP23 5NS
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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
