Business Details
Trusted Child Care Services in High Wycombe
Sunshine Montessori has been nurturing childhood curiosity and fostering joyful learning in the Chiltern Hills community for over 14 years. Our approach combines Montessori principles, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, and Forest School methodologies to create a holistic educational environment. We prioritise child-led exploration within carefully prepared spaces filled with natural resources, both indoors and outdoors. Our dedicated team, with extensive experience in early years education, cultivates a culture of kindness, respect, and resilience, ensuring each child feels secure to take developmental risks. We leverage our idyllic location near Wheeler End Common to integrate nature into daily learning, offering Forest School sessions and an allotment for hands-on experiences.Parent collaboration is central to our practice, with transparent communication supporting childrens transitions to school. Ofsted-registered and grounded in research on early brain development, we provide tailored curricula that adapt to childrens evolving needs, balancing structured activities with open-ended play. Our facilities include age-specific environments for infants through pre-schoolers, all designed to spark imagination and deepen connections with the natural world.
Services
Explorers (Under 2s)
Discoverers (2-3 years)
Investigators (3-5 years)
Forest School Program
Outdoor Learning
Highlights and features
- We offer 14+ years of experience in Montessori early years education
- Our team combines Montessori, EYFS and Forest School methodologies
- Daily outdoor learning in 10 acres of natural surroundings
- Parent collaboration rated 'excellent' in recent testimonials
- Ofsted-registered nursery with tailored developmental curricula
What people say
Nurturing environment
Dedicated team
Flourishing
Collaborative approach
Excellent preparation
Services
Explorers (Under 2s)
Our Explorers programme supports children from 6 months to 2 years through their critical early development stages. We create safe, sensory-rich environments that encourage motor skill development and social interaction. Our Montessori-trained staff use gentle guidance to support toddlers' natural curiosity while maintaining strict safety protocols. This programme lays foundations for future learning through structured routines and free exploration.
Discoverers (2-3 years)
The Discoverers room caters to children aged 2-3 years, focusing on independence and social skill development. Through practical life activities and nature-based play, children build confidence in self-care tasks and peer interactions. Our curriculum incorporates EYFS guidelines while maintaining Montessori principles of hands-on learning and individual pacing.
Investigators (3-5 years)
Our Investigators programme prepares 3-5 year olds for school through structured learning combined with child-led exploration. We integrate literacy, numeracy and creative arts with outdoor forest school sessions. Children develop critical thinking skills through project-based activities while maintaining the Montessori emphasis on intrinsic motivation and self-directed learning.
Forest School Program
Daily Forest School sessions utilise our 10-acre woodland site to enhance learning through nature. Children engage in seasonal exploration, environmental stewardship and risk-assessed physical activities. This outdoor curriculum develops resilience, teamwork and scientific observation skills while meeting EYFS physical development requirements.
Outdoor Learning
Our outdoor learning spaces include gardens, allotments and woodland areas designed for year-round use. Children participate in planting, harvesting and weather observation activities that connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. These environments promote physical development, sensory exploration and environmental awareness through structured and free play.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We provide care for children aged 3 months to 5 years across three distinct programmes: Explorers (6 months-2 years), Discoverers (2-3 years) and Investigators (3-5 years).
What educational approach do you use?
We combine Montessori principles with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and Forest School methodology to create a balanced approach that prioritises child-led learning and outdoor exploration.
How do you involve parents?
We maintain regular communication through daily updates, termly parent meetings and an open-door policy. Parents receive detailed transition reports and are invited to participate in special events and curriculum planning.
What outdoor facilities do you have?
Our nursery features extensive outdoor spaces including a Forest School site, vegetable allotment and natural play areas. Children access these spaces daily for structured activities and free play in all weather conditions.
How do you prepare children for school?
Our Investigators programme focuses on school readiness through literacy, numeracy and social skills development. We maintain strong relationships with local schools and provide detailed transition reports to support smooth admissions processes.
What are your operating hours?
We operate Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 6:00pm, offering flexible full-day care that accommodates working parents schedules.
