Sunshine Montessori Nursery
Sunshine Montessori is a warm, nurturing nursery where children grow in confidence through hands-on Montessori learning, rich outdoor experiences, and meaningful relationships. Our long-standing team brings deep expertise and genuine care, creating an environment where every child feels known, supported, and inspired to explore, imagine, and thrive.
Opening Times
Open 51 weeks per year
Standard hours: 8.00am - 6.00pm, Mon-Fri
Extended hours*, 7.30am - 6.00pm
Excluding bank holidays & inset days
*Subject to availability
Meet The Team
Laura Vaughan
Laura has worked in childcare since leaving school and has been part of Sunshine Montessori for many years. As Acting Manager at Sunshine Montessori Babies, she creates nurturing, confidence-building experiences for all of our Explorers. Laura’s deep level of knowledgge and experience alongside her BA Hons qualification and gentle, kind approach help children, families, and staff feel happy, safe, and supported.
Sarah Raymond
Sarah, is the Manager of Sunshine Montesori Nursery for Discoverers and Investigators (2 years up)/ With a BA Hons in Early Years she brings extensive early years experience and a freindly, kind presence. She helps children feel safe, valued, and supported through thoughtful teaching and gentle guidance. Sarah also plays a key role in supporting the team to deliver the highest quality care and education.
Lucy McBeth
Lucy is our Office Manager and has been a much-loved part of Sunshine for the past two years, quietly keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. A former Deputy Manager with an NVQ Level 3 qualification and mum to two young children, Lucy brings a calm, friendly approach and a strong understanding of nursery life and parents’ needs to everything she does.
Enrichment Experiences
Forest School
Outdoor learning is a major part of our curriculum. Led by trained practitioners, our Forest School adventures take children into nearby woods and green spaces to climb, explore, build, and discover. Whether they’re spotting wildlife or learning how to stay safe around a campfire, children grow in confidence, resilience, and their love of the natural world.
Intergenerational Connections
We’re proud to bring children together with older members of our community for crafts, gardening, conversation, and storytelling. These visits help children develop empathy, kindness, and a meaningful connection to people of all ages.
Yoga & Mindfulness
These gentle sessions offer children a calm moment in their week to stretch, breathe, and slow down. Through simple movements and guided relaxation, they learn how to understand their feelings, look after their bodies, and find moments of stillness.
Allotment Sessions
Our weekly allotment trips give children the joy of planting seeds, caring for vegetables, and watching food grow. It’s a hands-on way to learn patience, responsibility, and where our food really comes from — all while getting wonderfully muddy.
Muddy Chefs Programme
In our hands-on cooking sessions, children chop, mix, taste, and cook real dishes using fresh seasonal ingredients. It’s a wonderful way to build independence, foster healthy eating habits, and give children the confidence to enjoy food they’ve made themselves.
Makaton Signing Sessions
Delivered by a trained Makaton practitioner, these friendly sessions introduce children to simple signs in a fun, engaging way. Makaton supports communication for all children and helps us create an inclusive, supportive environment where every child is understood.
Parent Events
We love bringing our families together through joyful celebrations and shared experiences. From our annual art exhibition and festive Christmas show to our heart-warming graduation ceremony, these events give children the chance to shine and families the chance to feel part of our community.
Fees & Funding
See our monthly fees based on your child’s government funding entitlement. To learn more about how funding works, visit our Government Funding page.
| Number of days | No funding | 15 hrs free funding | 30 hrs free funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 full days | £1,550 | £1,137 | |
| 4 full days | £1,377 | £888 | |
| 3 full days | £1,033 | £544 | |
| 2 full days | £688 | £187 | |
| 5 half days | £967 | £336 | |
| 4 half days | £774 | £187 | |
| 3 half days | £580 | £148 |
Half day 8am-1pm or 1pm-6pm, full day 8am-6pm. Fees for funded sessions include all meals, consumables and a broad timetable of enrichment activities.
| Number of days | No funding | 15 hours fee funding | 30 hours fee funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 full days | £1,550 | £1,343 | £1,137 |
| 4 full days | £1,377 | £1,133 | £888 |
| 3 full days | £1,033 | £733 | £544 |
| 2 full days | £688 | £444 | £187 |
| 5 half days | £967 | £675 | £336 |
| 4 half days | £774 | £482 | £187 |
| 3 half days | £580 |
Half day 8am-1pm or 1pm-6pm, full day 8am-6pm. Fees for funded sessions include all meals, consumables and a broad timetable of enrichment activities.
What Parents Say
“...the staff have an incredible understanding of the nursery curriculum and offer exposure to outdoor forest school, sports, art and so many extra curricular activities.”
Georgia, Mother of a child
"We have nothing but happy fulfilling and positive memories of our time there and they must take credit for part of making our children the rounded and confident happy children they are today.”
Andrew, Father of a child
"From the staff who always go above and beyond to care and excite my children. To the amazing activities always on offer. Outdoor play and messy play is so key to child development and Sunshine have nailed it."
Esme, Mother of a child
Careers at Sunshine Montessori
We believe that the very best early years care starts with the people who provide it. Our team is made up of passionate, dedicated, and creative early years professionals who share our values: putting children first, creating safe and inspiring environments, and working closely with families.
Ofsted Good Nursery
Sunshine Montessori has consistently been rated Outstanding by Ofsted - click here to read previous reports. While Ofsted lists the nursery as ‘closed,’ this only reflects the change in ownership; the nursery has continued operating with the same leadership, staff, and families.
Visit Us
Babies Nursery: Elim Hope Church, 2 Edmonds Road, Lane End, HP14 3EJ