Apple Tree Montessori Nursery School, Hove

Tweezers, coloured rice and a map give a clearer picture of Apple Tree Montessori Nursery School, Hove than its name alone. In April 2023, children practised careful hand movements, explored alongside children of different ages and talked about their countries of origin. Independence ran through ordinary routines too, from feeding themselves to helping clear away activities.

At its 28 April 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective, with activities matched to children's next steps and good progress in learning. Later safeguarding action needs to be read alongside that dated judgement, including repeated concerns about responding to allegations against staff.

The Connaught Road setting has capacity for 45 children, with an accepted age range from birth to five. Montessori is its educational approach: practical learning in which children make choices and develop independence. Natural materials form part of the current environment, giving the setting a concrete connection with its hands-on approach.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage provides the required framework for children's learning, development and care. In parent language, this means learning through play and activities that develop communication, movement, relationships and understanding. Montessori sits alongside that framework as the nursery's chosen approach, rather than replacing its requirements.

In April 2023, children sustained their attention while using tweezers to move coloured objects. That small activity combined hand control with perseverance. A map gave another sort of challenge: children recalled European places and connected them with their own backgrounds. Learning drew on what mattered to the children, rather than treating their interests as an interruption to the day.

Older children also helped younger children take part in an activity with coloured rice. The practical value was social as well as educational: children had opportunities to help someone else and to learn from another child. Sharing a jigsaw involved waiting and taking turns, making cooperation part of the activity itself.

Routine mattered. In April 2023, songs and rhymes were frequent, children selected activities linked to their interests, and staff extended tasks with questions and new skills. Tidying before snack time gave children a recognisable sequence to follow. These examples describe the day at that time; the strongest current physical detail is the use of natural materials in the environment.

Relationships and Communication

In April 2023, practitioners knew the families of their key children and used words from children's home languages to help them settle. Familiar language gave a child a point of connection while getting used to nursery care. Staff also offered cuddles and warm responses when children wanted to share an achievement.

Parents received updates about their children's development, but their opportunities to contribute to learning needed expanding. This distinction matters: hearing what happened at nursery and helping shape a child's next steps are different parts of a working relationship. The other improvement priority was stronger coordination with schools and other childcare settings for children's next stage.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Later events qualify the earlier safeguarding judgement: Ofsted required action following regulatory visits in December 2023 and September 2024, including repeated issues with the timely referral of allegations against staff. The first notice's actions were met in February 2024. At the 25 October 2024 visit, the safeguarding-knowledge action remained unmet, prompting another welfare requirements notice. That action was met on 18 November 2024 after staff received additional training and support.

The later sequence included further action in November 2024 concerning access to staff-suitability records and training for special educational needs and/or disabilities coordinators. In January 2025, training and support for those coordinators had been strengthened, and inspectors could obtain the required records. These are dated outcomes, rather than a new inspection grade or a present-day assurance about the effectiveness of support.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with care operating across the year. That window gives families a useful starting point for fitting nursery around work and other commitments.

Getting There

The address is 22 Connaught Road, Hove, BN3 3WB. Hove Library and the Tesco Superstore are nearby landmarks, useful for placing the nursery within the neighbourhood rather than implying that children visit them.

New enquiries use 01273 271969. Show-arounds can be arranged by calling or messaging, providing a way to explore the setting's practical Montessori environment before making a decision.

Funding and Paid Extras

In April 2023, the nursery received early-education funding for children aged two, three and four. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Safeguarding follow-through. Allegation-handling concerns recurred in 2023 and 2024, with the later actions recorded as met in January 2025. At a visit, ask how staff maintain their knowledge and escalate concerns promptly.
• Parents as contributors. In April 2023, communication included developmental updates, while opportunities for parents to contribute needed extending. Ask how observations from home now influence your child's activities and next steps.
• The next setting. Stronger links with schools and other providers were an April 2023 improvement priority. Ask what contact and information-sharing take place when a child moves on.
• Your attendance and charge structure. The opening window runs from 8am to 6pm on weekdays. Ask which booking patterns and funded entitlements apply to your child.

Apple Tree suits families seeking Montessori care in central Hove, with practical independence and natural materials as clear reasons to consider it. The April 2023 examples give substance to that approach: careful hand work, cooperation between ages and familiar routines.

The decision also needs a clear view of the later safeguarding action. Recorded completion matters, but repeated concerns deserve direct discussion alongside parent participation and transition arrangements. Families who value the approach should weigh those questions as carefully as the weekday opening window.