Admissions
How do I apply for a place?
The simplest first step is to book a visit. Most families come to see the nursery, meet the team, and decide from there. We’ll then send you an application form and walk you through the next steps. You can also start the process on our How to Apply page.
What ages do you take?
We care for children from 5 months through to 5 years old — babies in our infant room, toddlers aged 1–3, and preschoolers aged 3–5. Each group has its own dedicated space and team.
Do you have a waiting list?
Yes — places are limited, particularly in the infant room. We’d encourage you to get in touch as early as possible. Many families register during pregnancy. Getting on the list is free and commits you to nothing.
How does settling in work?
We run a gradual settling-in programme with every new child — starting with short visits (often with you present) and building over the first week or two until your child feels genuinely at home. We follow the child’s pace. There’s no rushing this part.
Daily Life
What does a typical day look like?
The heart of the day is the uninterrupted morning work cycle — a three-hour block where children choose their own materials and work without interruption. After that: snack, outdoor time, lunch, and a quieter afternoon of arts, music, and stories. A full account is on our Daily Schedule page.
What do children eat?
All meals are cooked fresh on site by our Chef every day — breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. The menu rotates weekly and includes proper, nourishing food. We hold a 5-star food hygiene rating and accommodate all dietary requirements and allergies.
What should my child bring?
A named bag with a change of clothes, any comforter they need, and wellies for outdoor days. We provide meals, snacks, and all learning materials. We ask that toys from home stay at home, with the exception of a comforter for younger children.
How do you communicate with parents?
Your child’s Key Person speaks to you at drop-off and collection with something specific about your child’s day — not a generalised “good day,” but something real. We also use a digital platform for photos, observations, and developmental updates.
What are your opening hours?
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm, 51 weeks of the year. We close for one week over Christmas and a small number of bank holidays.
Fees & Funding
How much does nursery cost?
Our full fee information — session rates, full-day rates, and sibling discounts — is on our Fees & Funding page. No hidden charges, no surprises.
Are you registered for government-funded hours?
Yes. We are registered with Buckinghamshire Council for all funded entitlements — 15 hours universal for 3- and 4-year-olds, 30 hours for eligible working families, and the expanding funded hours for 2-year-olds and children from 9 months. See our Fees page for how to apply your code.
When do I pay?
Fees are invoiced monthly, in advance. We accept bank transfer and most major payment methods. If you have any concerns about affordability, please speak to us — we would rather have that conversation early.
Do you offer sibling discounts?
Yes — ask us for details when you enquire. The discount applies when more than one sibling attends at the same time.
The Montessori Method
What is Montessori, really?
Montessori is an approach to education developed by Dr Maria Montessori over a century ago, based on direct observation of how children actually learn. Its core insight: children are intrinsically motivated to learn, and adults get in the way when they impose their own pace and agenda. A Montessori environment is prepared to support the child’s natural development — ordered, beautiful, and full of purposeful materials.
How is it different from a standard nursery?
In most nurseries, adults decide what every child does and when. In a Montessori nursery, children choose their own work. There are no sticker charts or gold stars — internal motivation is protected, not replaced by rewards. Mixed-age groups mean children learn from each other. The pace is the child’s, not the clock’s.
Will my child learn to read and write?
Yes — but the path looks different. Literacy builds on a concrete, sensory foundation first. Children trace sandpaper letters to learn the shape of sounds in their fingers before they pick up a pencil. Numbers begin as physical quantities before they become symbols. Many Montessori children enter Reception reading independently — and with genuine enthusiasm for it.
Do you follow EYFS as well as Montessori?
Yes — all early years settings in England must follow the EYFS framework, and we do. We see Montessori and EYFS as complementary. EYFS gives us the statutory structure; Montessori gives us the depth. Your child’s development is tracked across all seven EYFS areas throughout their time with us.
Is Montessori right for every child?
In our experience: yes, with very few exceptions. Children described as “energetic” or “easily distracted” often flourish here precisely because they aren’t asked to sit still. Quieter children thrive too, because they aren’t rushed. The environment adapts to the child, not the other way around. The best way to judge is to come and watch your child in the room.
Still have questions?
The best answers come in person. Book a visit and ask us everything face to face.