Business Details
34 Years
experience
Outstanding Early Years Nursery in Camberley, Surrey
St Mary's Nursery Camberley has been dedicated to early years education since its establishment in 1992. Originally based in a church centre, we relocated in 2018 to a purpose-built eco-friendly facility within Watchett's Recreation Ground. Our inclusive setting embraces families from diverse backgrounds, guided by a Christian ethos. We prioritise child-led learning through approaches like Reggio Emilia and The Curiosity Approach, fostering environments where children explore, problem-solve, and develop confidence. Our team of qualified professionals maintains an 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating, achieved through tailored care, the Thrive approach for emotional wellbeing, and partnerships with families and local agencies.With extensive outdoor spaces and a focus on holistic development, we prepare children for school while nurturing their individual potential. Our commitment to quality care, evidenced by our 2024 Ofsted inspection findings, ensures children thrive in a safe, stimulating environment. We operate term-time only, offering flexible funding options including government-supported schemes. Our governance by a board of trustees, including the Vicar of St Mary's Church, ensures accountability and community alignment. Through continuous reflection and adaptation, we maintain relevance to children's evolving needs while upholding our founding vision of excellence in early education.
Services
Early Years Education
Child Care Services
Outdoor Learning Programs
Parent Partnerships
Special Educational Needs Support
Details
- Year established: 1992
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of early years education expertise since 1992
- Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' in April 2024 inspection
- Purpose-built eco-friendly facility with extensive outdoor spaces
- Specialist child-led curriculum combining Reggio Emilia and The Curiosity Approach
- Experienced team implementing the Thrive approach for emotional wellbeing
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Best setting
Loving and nurturing
Experienced staff
Child's full potential
Outstanding provision
Services
Early Years Education
Our curriculum follows EYFS requirements with specialist approaches including Reggio Emilia and The Curiosity Approach. We focus on child-led learning through open-ended resources and 'in the moment' teaching. Practitioners use their deep knowledge of individual children to extend learning opportunities naturally.
Outdoor Learning
Children access extensive outdoor spaces all day with free-flow provision. Our nature club and outdoor learning areas promote physical development, risk assessment skills, and environmental awareness. The outdoor environment acts as a 'third teacher' through natural play opportunities and sensory experiences.
Parent Partnerships
We work collaboratively with families through regular progress updates and shared learning journeys. Our key person system ensures strong bonds between staff, children, and families. We provide term dates, session options, and funding information to support informed decision-making.
Special Educational Needs Support
Our SENCO and DSENCO specialists implement the Thrive approach for emotional wellbeing. We use Early Talk Boost programmes and tailored interventions for children with English as an additional language. Individual support plans ensure all children reach their full potential.
Ofsted Registered Care
As an Ofsted Outstanding-rated provider (EY556342), we maintain strict standards in child safety and educational quality. Our practices align with statutory frameworks for early years foundation stage, ensuring secure environments and qualified staff ratios.
People
Sue Gauntlett
Nursery Manager, DSL & SENCO
With extensive early years leadership experience, Sue oversees daily operations and special educational needs provision. She ensures safeguarding standards and curriculum implementation across both learning environments.
Penny Fairminer
Deputy Manager, DSL
As deputy manager, Penny supports staff development and maintains safeguarding protocols. She works closely with families and external agencies to ensure children's welfare and educational progress.
Rev Andrew Knowles
Chair of Trustees
The Vicar of St Mary's Church chairs our board of trustees, providing governance oversight and ensuring alignment with our Christian ethos while maintaining community connections.
Jo Halls
Nursery Office Administrator
Jo manages administrative operations, parent communications, and registration processes. She coordinates session bookings and deposit management while supporting day-to-day nursery functions.
Esther Westwood
Finance Administrator
Esther oversees financial operations and supports early years education delivery. She manages funding schemes, fee structures, and financial compliance while contributing to classroom activities.
Questions
What are your Ofsted inspection results?
We received an 'Outstanding' rating in our April 2024 Ofsted inspection, with particular praise for staff focus on child-led play and children's exceptional mutual respect.
What session options do you offer?
We provide morning (8:45-11:45), afternoon (11:45-14:45), and full-day (8:45-14:45) sessions Monday-Friday during term time, with 15-hour government-funded options available.
How do you support child development?
Our curriculum combines Reggio Emilia principles, The Curiosity Approach, and Thrive methodology to foster emotional wellbeing, problem-solving skills, and natural curiosity through play-based learning.
What makes your nursery unique?
Our purpose-built eco-friendly facility features extensive outdoor learning spaces, including a nature club and log cabin, with free-flow access supporting holistic development in all weathers.
How do you involve parents?
We maintain regular progress updates, gather parental input before children start, and use key person systems to build strong family partnerships throughout each child's learning journey.
