Peacock Montessori Nursery in Stuston celebrates 25th year

The owner of a popular nursery has thanked the community for its support as it celebrates 25 years of being in business.

Peacock Montessori Nursery in Stuston was opened by Hannah Laurie on November 1, 1999.

Since then, the nursery has grown and even expanded into a purpose-built building on the site in 2020.

Hannah said: “After I completed my Montessori training, I saw there were very few nurseries in the area at that point, so it felt like a good idea to open Peacocks.”

The Montessori approach, the owner says, is free-flow teaching from indoors to outdoors and follows the child’s lead.

This also involves all age groups mixing together in one space, with the children accessing readily available resources themselves.

“Montessori is a well-known early years pedagogy, recognised around the world – and I fell in love with it during my training,” she said.

To celebrate on the day of the milestone, the nursery had a party, inviting past and present pupils as well as their families.

Asked the reason why she felt the playschool was able to reach 25 years in business, the owner said it was down to adapting over the years.

“We have diversified and adjusted throughout our time here, with the goal always to meet the needs of our families,” said Hannah.

“For example, when we first opened, we were only here for term times, between 9am and 3pm, and for ages three and up.

“Now, we are open 51 weeks of the year, between 7.45am and 6pm, for ages six months and up.”

The nursery, which now has 14 members of staff, was given a good Ofsted across the board at its latest inspection in September.

Hannah said the continued growth of the nursery, from when she first started in 1999, has been down to the hard work and support of so many in the last 25 years.

She said: “I just want to say thank you to everyone that have been a part of the nursery’s journey so far.

“Without them all, we would not be here.”