Pippins Day Nursery, Colchester

Wellbeing at Pippins is supported through nutritious food, plenty of time outdoors and strong relationships with families. Our on-site chef prepares healthy, balanced meals and snacks each day, while children have plenty of opportunities to spend time in the gardens, meadow and woodland.

Strong partnerships with families are an important part of nursery life. Through the GrandirUK App, families receive regular updates about their child’s day and developmental progress, helping to keep communication open between home and nursery.

Our lending library and home learning bags give families further ways to continue children’s interests and learning at home, while Stay and Play sessions and special event days create opportunities for new and existing families to spend time with us and be part of nursery life.

Music and movement are a lively part of the week at Pippins. Through Boogie Mites, children explore early phonics, letters and sounds through songs, movement and playful activities, with opportunities to develop their communication and physical skills along the way.

We also welcome Dancing Becky to the nursery for creative music and movement sessions, accompanied by Melody Bear, her friendly teddy. These sessions give children another playful way to enjoy music, movement and learning together.

Pippins is a recognised Montessori nursery and Forest School, with spaces designed around the needs of children at different ages and stages. Our small setting brings Montessori and Forest School learning together, with older children able to split their sessions between the Montessori classroom and Forest School.

• Under 2s playroom: For babies and children aged 3 months to 2 years.
  
  

• Montessori classroom: For children aged 2 to 5 years.
  
  

• Forest School: For preschool children from 32 months.

Each space is led by qualified, experienced team members and thoughtfully resourced to provide an engaging, calm and child-centred environment. Children in both the under 2s playroom and Montessori classroom have free-flow access to their outdoor gardens.

Younger children are gradually introduced to Forest School experiences, giving them time to become familiar with outdoor learning before moving on. As children approach school age, families can choose sessions across both the Montessori classroom and Forest School, combining two different environments and approaches within their nursery week.

Outdoor space

Outdoor learning is at the heart of our approach at Pippins. Two garden areas lead directly from the under 2s playroom and Montessori classroom, giving children opportunities to move between indoor and outdoor experiences as part of their day.

Our Forest School has its own meadow and woodland area, where children can explore nature, use tools, cook over a campfire, go on woodland walks and take part in sensory experiences. This dedicated natural environment gives children plenty of opportunities to get hands-on, try new things and explore throughout the year.

Being a small nursery means children at Pippins can get to know familiar team members beyond their own room. Our team take time to understand each child’s routines, interests and individual needs, creating continuity throughout their nursery experience.

These familiar relationships give children a consistent foundation as they settle in at their own pace and become comfortable exploring the people, spaces and experiences around them.

Our child-centred curriculum at Pippins draws on the Montessori approach, with hands-on learning and thoughtfully prepared environments both indoors and outdoors.

Children have opportunities to choose from purposeful activities and resources, explore their interests and learn at their own pace. This approach encourages growing independence and curiosity while supporting learning and development across the Early Years curriculum.

We believe children should have meaningful choices in their learning. At Pippins, the Montessori approach shapes thoughtfully prepared environments where children can choose purposeful activities, explore their interests and progress at their own pace.

Our meadow and woodland setting at White Colne takes this sense of independence outdoors too. Through Forest School, children have opportunities to explore the natural environment, make choices and try things for themselves throughout the year.

For families with more than one child, having siblings at Pippins means one drop-off and pick-up, while each child has a space suited to their own age and stage.

As a small nursery, there are plenty of opportunities for brothers and sisters to see each other during the nursery day. Both the under 2s playroom and Montessori classroom open directly onto the gardens, creating shared spaces where siblings can spend time together.

Sibling places are subject to availability, but where we have space in the appropriate room, we will always look at the options for welcoming brothers and sisters together.

Led by Nursery Manager Jo, our small, experienced team bring specialist knowledge across Montessori education, Forest School and SEND. The team includes certified Montessori practitioners, two Level 3 qualified Forest School Leads and dedicated SENDCos.

Jo holds a first-class degree in Early Years childcare, while the wider team continue to develop their knowledge through regular training, including paediatric first aid. This mix of qualifications, specialist knowledge and ongoing development supports the care and education children experience throughout their time at Pippins.