Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School

Longsands Community College, Longsands Road, St Neots PE19 1LQ
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9.8 103 Reviews
  • Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School, St Neots
Apricot Nursery and Pre-School are set across two sites, ensuring that they are able to give children a truly unique and special nursery experience

Children start their journey at Apricot Nursery, which consists of three base rooms; each benefit from having their own safe, enclosed and age-appropriate outside play area. This provides all of the children with free-flow access to explore the outside play area whenever they want. Each room has its own garden area which they enjoy in all weathers. The baby room garden has two levels, the one-year-olds have a lovely space which goes round to the side of the building and the toddlers' room has a spacious garden giving the children lots of room to run and play.

When the children are ready, they will transition to the Pre-School setting, which is just a few minutes away. The Pre-School children benefit from a separate site where they are fully prepared for ‘big’ school life.

The Pre-School is ideally located within the grounds of Priory Park Infant School allowing those children who progress on to this school the opportunity to become familiar with the setting; aiding transition to Reception. For those that go on to different schools, the opportunity to be in a school environment will help children develop confidence to start school; no matter which school they decide upon.

The nursery and the pre-school offer exceptional care, enriched by unique learning opportunities for your child. One such experience is child-friendly cooking classes, helping to equip children with valuable skills and deeper knowledge of the cooking process.

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Care Provided by Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Lisa Payne & Louise Wright (Nursery & Pre-School Managers)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 28
  • Total Places for Children
  • 91
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 0 months
    • to 5 years 0 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Funding & Fees Guide for Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School

  • AM/PM Session £46.90
    Full Day Session £78.20


    We're making childcare more accessible to families:


    * FREE nursery childcare for siblings of registered children!*
    * No meal, consumable or enhancement charges
    * Part & fully funded places available


    *Terms and conditions apply

  • A £100.00 non-refundable registration fee is required to secure a place. Exact days of attendance should be confirmed no later than 6 weeks prior to the child’s start date. Any changes are subject to availability.
  • Parking

  • There are 10 parking spaces near to the nursery entrance and there is ample parking for all visitors at the Pre-school.


Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School Reviews (103)

Total of 103, showing 41-60
9.8

Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.816) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School has 103 reviews.

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Review from Donna R (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Staff within the preschool are fantastic. Insightful and constructive feedback at the end of each day. Open to a discussion at drop off to ensure all is well. Such enthusiastic staff and you can see the children relate well to them. No pressure to rush, which is nice. You feel they are interested and
listening to what you have to say too. My son loves it here. Thank you!

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Review from V O (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son has settled into nursery extremely well considering he only attends twice a week. The staff that have been working with him are all so friendly and kind and seem genuinely happy to see him every week. Management at the nursery has been just as good. My emails or calls are answered very quickly,
and everyone is always happy to help. I would definitely recommend the nursery to others.

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Review from Trudi B (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My boy attends this nursery, and I have nothing but good reviews for them. All the staff are amazing with the children and are always happy to see them. Management is fantastic, always keeping me up to date on how my boy is doing. Always happy to help if have any queries. My boy loves going to nursery
and gets so excited when he sees the practitioners. Always a friendly face and listening ear for both parents and children. Could not recommend this nursery enough! My second is due to start, and I know she will love it too.

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Review from C L (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little boy has been at Apricot since he was 9-months-old (he’s now 3). He is currently in Apricots preschool. I can honestly say he has had and is having the best experience and start in his education. From the beginning of his day, my son is constantly busy and happy. The practitioners know him
inside out, which fills me with ease when I have to go to work and leave him. The activities he is introduced too are also so amazing, the staff really know their stuff. Both the nursery and the preschool are brilliant settings, and I feel so comfortable leaving my son. And the best part, when I go and pick him up, he always comes out smiling and jumping about, so happy. Thank you to the Apricot Team!

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Review from M D (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has thrived at Apricot. The staff have gotten to know her very well and have been able to support her through a number of big changes including moving house, a new sibling and both parents erratic work patterns due to COVID. She always leaves nursery happy and having learned new things.

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Review from Penny G (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been at Apricot for the last 9-months (since being 14-months-old), and we couldn't be happier with the nursery. The staff are wonderful, and my daughter is so happy there. She always goes in and comes out with a smile and settled in very quickly despite never being away from me before.
She has developed really well and always in very positive ways. The nursery balances cleanliness and organisation with warmth and friendliness. I would have no hesitation in recommending the nursery to other parents.

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Review from Emma C (Mother of Child) published on 27 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son has been going to the nursery for the past 18-months, and I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Apricot Nursery to anyone looking for excellent childcare.
Every team member there is friendly and caring, and our son adores his key workers. He gets excited about going to nursery in
the mornings and is exposed to an amazing array of activities that we’d never be able to replicate at home. He has great fun there, and the nursery setting has helped with his development no end. Well done, Apricot!

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Review from M N (Mother of Child) published on 2 November 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

The staff at Apricot day nursery are so helpful and supportive and I would not hesitate to recommend them. My little boy has recently started potty training and I have found their help and advice to be really useful. Since returning to nursery post lockdown, I was slightly anxious at how he would find
it, but he is happier and more relaxed than ever. I look forward to the comprehensive feedback they provide on his progress and struggle to find any fault with the level of care and attention he receives.

Reply from Lisa Payne, Manager at Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School

Good afternoon, Thank you so much for your lovely review. It means the world to all of us to hear your feedback. Kind regards, Lisa.


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Review from C C (Mother of Child) published on 16 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has attended the setting since she was six months old and absolutely loves it. She has a great bond with the staff and never has any issues going. The setting has a good indoor and outdoor space, and the children are exposed to a wide range of activities and a very varied choice of food
at mealtimes. The use of the app means we are always fully informed of what our child has been up to (food, sleep, nappies, etc) and also includes pictures which reinforce how happy she is there. I’d happily recommend to anyone seeking childcare.

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Review from Courtney (Mother of Child) published on 16 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son absolutely loves this nursery. He comes home happy and excited, always happy to go back. The staff are always very friendly and welcoming and have supported us throughout his time there so far. I never have to worry about him as I know he is in safe hands.

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Review from Ruth B (Mother of Child) published on 7 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Our daughter is so happy at Apricot day Nursery. During lockdown, she got very used to being at home and spending the majority of her time with her sister. We were therefore a bit worried about her returning to preschool. However, from her first day back (after almost 6 months off), our daughter was
really happy when she returned home from preschool. She told us all about her friends and the lovely things they did together during the day. This was no doubt due to the staff taking very good care of our daughter and helping her to settle back in after such a long time away and also a very strange time for everyone. We're very grateful to all the team at Apricot Day Nursery for the fantastic care they've taken of our daughter. Thank you so much.

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Review from Catherine W (Mother of Child) published on 19 August 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our daughter has been at Apricot nursery and pre-school for 4 years. She has moved through all 5 rooms, across both settings. Our son has been at the nursery site for almost a year. We have been extremely happy with the provision Apricot offers and the care our children have received over the years.
When issues/concerns have arisen, the staff have always been very approachable and keen to resolve any issues. The staff at Apricot are outstanding. All of the members of staff who have been in our children’s rooms have formed strong, positive relationships with them (and with the rest of the family). Apricot has lovely facilities and there are always lots of fun activities for the children to get involved with. We would highly recommend Apricot nursery and pre-school.

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Review from C N (Grandmother of Child) published on 4 August 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This setting provided great care and kindness to our grandaughter during her time there. The staff kept us informed and updated on her progress and day to day activities. The lovely staff were always happy to see the children on arrival and to settle them in if upset. Thank you Apricot!

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Review from D F (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We were quite anxious about our little boy starting pre-school as he'd previously not enjoyed larger settings and busy environments but the staff in PS1 were so kind and welcoming giving him the extra attention and time he needed to feel settled in his new environment. His key worker communicated closely
with us to make sure the length of his days were suited to and right for him which reassured us and gave him the best experience. He's now really settled and happy and loves playing with his friends and teachers.

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Review from Gemma W (Mother of Child) published on 6 March 2020
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have fallen for Apricot Day Nursery, the staff are so caring and show great compassion with their work and the children in their care.

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Review from Hollie E (Mother of Child) published on 22 August 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Apricots is an outstanding nursery. Every single member of staff is kind, friendly and understanding. My son joined Apricots when he was 8 months but as he got older and he understood what was going on he would cry when I dropped him off. But the staff always looked after him and always knew what to
do to calm him down and reassured him. He now really enjoys going and even gets excited when we arrive in the carpark. Well what can I say about his key worker, she is absolutely incredible. He has been at Apricots for 2 years and she has been with him from the first day. She always makes time for him, comforts him when sad and generally the best key worker we could have wished for. She has definitely made a good impression on my son, as he said her name when we come into the carpark and one day when I asked him at home what his teddy was called he said her name. We will miss all the staff at the nursery when our son moves to Apricots Preschool in a few weeks. Overall a fantastic Nursery.

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Review from Jelena J (Mother of Child) published on 29 March 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

We feel that Apricot Day Nursery allows our child to experiment, explore and express their individuality very well.
Our child has attended Apricot Day Nursery since she was 13 months and its progression socially and intellectually could not be better. Apricot staff are warm, friendly and communicative
(very open) our child actually looks forward to going and has no problem being left there for the day.

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Review from L W (Mother of Child) published on 21 March 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son absolutely loves going to Apricot preschool. I feel he is safe, well cared for and happy in his environment. He has learnt so much in the 6 months he's been there already. It's lovely to see the staff extending his ideas and letting him have fun and learn through the activities. He has a packed
lunch for tea but absolutely loves the lunches that are cooked for him. He has also become a lot more independent which, as he starts school soon, will be a good skill to have.

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Review from S S (Mother of Child) published on 1 March 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Apricot Day Nursery provides an excellent learning environment. Our daughter only attends one day each week but we have noticed how well she is developing, learning new skills, words and interacting with other children.
We only have praise for the excellent staff. They are so friendly and welcoming.

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Review from Fiona K (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2019
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I am very pleased with how my 2 little girls have settled into the pre-school.
They have learned so much and love going in for the 3 days. I was really happy with the good feedback we had on the parents evening.
The staff have been so great with the twins and I love the letter of the week idea an
everything that they have achieved so far.

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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.816)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.816) out of 10 for Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 16 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 out of 5 from 16 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.937 for Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School is calculated as follows: ( (178 Excellents x 5) + (12 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 190 Ratings = 4.937

  • b) 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5').

    The 4.879 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Apricot Day Nursery & Pre-School is based on 16 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4

    • ii) 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 91 number of registered child places is 18.2. 16 Positive Reviews ÷ 18.2 = 0.879

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

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Meet the Team (2)

Lisa

Lisa Payne

Job Title: Nursery Manager (Nursery)

Joined: 2018

Qualifications: Level 5 Leadership for Children’s and Young People’s Workforce


Louise

Louise Wright

Job Title: Nursery Manager (Pre-school)

Joined: 2021

Hi! I'm Louise and I'm the Manager here at Apricot Pre-School.


We look forward to welcoming you to our Pre-School!


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