Our Frequently Asked Questions

We open in school term times. We close for Christmas, Easter, Summer and half terms. 

We accept children from the term in which they turn three. 

Find out more about the Montessori method.

Check on the government website here. If you are unsure, we can discuss this with you as part of our induction process so don’t worry. 

We accept all government funding for two and three- year-olds. Simple!

Yes! We provide all meals including two snacks and a two-course, home-cooked vegetarian lunch every day. We use glass cups, crockery and cutlery and the children are active in setting the table, serving the food and tidying away. We can cater for dietary requirements, intolerances and allergies and put a plan in place during your child’s induction.  

Please complete an enquiry form and we will let you know our availability.  

Excellent! We are always comfortably within the statutory requirement and have a fully qualified staff team with small groups of children to enable your child the best possible care, attention and education.  

In the year preceding your child’s start date, we invite you in for termly Stay and Plays to get to know your family and to build your child’s confidence with us. In the term before starting, there will be two Stay and Play sessions and your child’s new key person will meet with you and discuss your All About Me for your child to really get to know your child and their needs. After your child’s first month, your key person will meet to review their induction and share their induction report with you. 

We work consistently to build school-readiness skills such as independence, resilience, self-esteem, communication and language skills, self-care and curiosity. We hold school readiness reviews at the start of the summer term to look at getting ready for school in the summer term. We invite primary school teachers in to visit children and prepare a primary passport all about each child to share with the school.    

All of our team hold a full and up-to-date Paediatric First Aid training qualification. 

Before your child starts in the setting, you will meet in person with the SENCO, Charlotte, and the child's key person to discuss a Care Plan or One Plan. This will outline your child's needs as well as any adjustments to the environment and provision that they may need. We work very closely with you and follow the needs of the child, whether this looks like a phased start or special equipment in the setting. Our staff are experienced at working with children with a range of SEN and we often undertake additional training that supports the individual needs of each child. We follow the Essex County Council 'Ordinarily Available' Framework to ensure that our teaching and provision is accessible for all children.  

Absolutely. When your child starts with us, we will take time to discuss where they are developmentally and what support they might need. Our SENCO Charlotte and all the team will share ideas and strategies to support your child whether that is speech and language, healthy eating, toilet training. A collaborative approach to supporting your child is the best way forward and we will also help you to make links with other specialists such as Health Visitors, Speech and Language Therapists or Health Practitioners when relevant.

We use Tapestry, an online portal, to keep you updated on everything from what your child has had for lunch, to their learning achievements. We upload photos of your child at play, as well as general updates and information, such as our menu and newsletters. We always encourage and welcome you to upload your own photos, videos and updates of achievements or special moments of your child. The children love to talk about these moments with us and show their friends, too! 

Please contact us to find out about our fees or funding enquiries. 

We are well hidden! We are down Station Approach, just next to the doctor's surgery and before the station. We have a blue gate which is our main entrance. For drop-offs and pick-ups, we recommend parking at the end of the road before the double yellow lines, or on Wittonwood Road, which is on the other side of the Spinney garden.