Childminder in Newmarket - A Setting Built Around
Your Child
Sensory Nest is a family-run, Ofsted-registered childminder in Newmarket, led by Anna, a qualified teacher with two degrees in Creative Pedagogy and Linguistics, and more than 10 years of experience working with young children across nurseries, special needs schools, language schools, and community classes. Anna is joined by a dedicated team of four qualified teachers and Ofsted-registered childminders, all working together with a shared commitment to Montessori-inspired, child-led care.
This is not a large nursery or a corporate childcare chain. It is a warm, purposeful, home-based setting where your child will be known by name, respected as an individual and supported at their own pace. Our team brings formal qualifications in education and child development, and we have collectively completed specialist Montessori training. Everything we do is shaped by the belief that children learn best when they feel safe, curious and free to explore.
If you are looking for a childminder in Newmarket where a qualified, close-knit team brings genuine expertise, deep care and a Montessori philosophy to every day, we would love to meet you and your child.
A Typical Day at Sensory Nest
Routine matters to young children. Why?
Because it creates safety and predictability.
At Sensory Nest, our days have a gentle, consistent rhythm.
Here is what a typical day looks like:
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8:00–8:20am - Children arrive, breakfast, free play
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9:00–11:30am - Montessori activities and circle time
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10:30am - Morning snack
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12:30pm - Lunch (home-cooked, nutritious, varied)
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1:00pm - Rest time / quiet child-led play/garden time
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3:00pm - Home time
No two days are identical. The rhythm is consistent, but the activities change with the seasons, the children's interests and the natural world around us. Mealtimes, transitions and rest are all handled with patience and respect for each child's individual needs.
What Makes Sensory Nest Different from Other Childminders in Newmarket
Montessori every day,
not just in name
Independence, self-confidence, creativity, respect for nature, and learning through sensory experience are not add-ons here - they are the foundation.
Every space, activity and routine at Sensory Nest has been designed with the Montessori child in mind. Every detail is intentional.
Qualified teachers,
not just carers
Anna holds two university degrees, has more than ten years of experience with children across a wide range of ages and settings, and holds full Ofsted registration.
You are choosing a setting led by someone who has been formally trained in both education and child development.
Small, home-based and genuinely nurturing
Because Sensory Nest operates as a home nursery, your child benefits from an intimate, settled environment with a very low child-to-adult ratio.
There are no long corridors, no rotating staff and no institutional routines. Just a calm, consistent space your child can call their own.
Bilingual environment
We are a bilingual Polish-English family. For families who value language exposure from an early age, this is a natural, everyday advantage your child simply absorbs through being here.
Growing up hearing two languages woven into daily life gives children an early familiarity with the sounds and rhythms of language.
Inside the Sensory Nest Setting
The Montessori Playroom
The heart of our day. This space is filled with thoughtfully chosen toys, books, puzzles, construction materials, role-play corners, and open-ended resources that invite children to lead their own learning.
The Sensory Room
A quieter, softer space that doubles as a restroom for children who sleep during the day. We also use this room for sensory play, movement, yoga, drama and musical activities, all in a calm, unhurried atmosphere.
The Kitchen Corner
Children are genuinely involved in daily life here, helping with cooking and baking, preparing food, and setting the table. In the Montessori tradition, practical life skills are among the most important areas of learning.
The Garden
Outside time is part of every day, whatever the season. Our garden includes a mud kitchen, sandpit, chalkboard and seasonal activity areas. We also have an allotment where we grow our own fruit and vegetables with the children.
Hours, Availability and Fees
Days: Monday to Friday
Hours: 7:00am – 3:00pm (minimum 2 days per week)
Standard Hourly Rate:
From January 2025: £9.00 per hour
Government Funding for Childminders in Newmarket
As an Ofsted-registered childminder in Newmarket and on the Government's Childcare Register, we are approved to accept the following funding:
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15-hour funding for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds
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30-hour funding for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds - up to 1,140 funded hours per year (30 hrs/week for 38 weeks, or stretched to 22 hrs/week across 52 weeks)
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Government funding for eligible 2-year-olds
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Tax-Free Childcare - save approximately 20% on your childcare costs
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All employer childcare voucher schemes
Unsure what funding you qualify for? Get in touch, and we will help you work it out before you commit to anything.
Settling In - Free of Charge
Starting somewhere new can feel like a big moment for a small child. That is why we offer two free one-hour settling-in sessions before your child's first official day. These sessions are relaxed, unhurried, and as much for you as for your child. There is no pressure.
Come and see the space. Ask questions. Let your child explore at their own pace.
We will only confirm a start date when both you and your child feel ready.
Also at Sensory Nest
Sensory Nest is more than a childminder.
We are a Montessori-inspired family educational centre in Newmarket,
and our wider offer includes:
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Art Club - weekly creative sessions for children (Tuesdays)
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Home Education Hub - dedicated Montessori learning rooms for homeschooling families
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Polish Lessons - for children and adults, online and face-to-face
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Family Therapy and Emotional Support - music therapy, psychotherapeutic counselling and equine-assisted therapy
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Chess Club - expert-led chess classes for children with a National Master
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Birthday Parties - creative, Montessori-inspired celebrations for children