Coming Soon: Montessori Learning by the Sea
A Brand-New Montessori Nursery Opening in Saltburn
Give your child the best start in life with a nurturing environment designed for independence, creativity, and joy in learning.
Why Montessori Matters
Choosing a nursery is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make for your child. You don’t just want childcare — you want a place where your little one will grow in confidence, curiosity, and joy every single day.
That’s what Montessori offers.
Developed over 100 years ago by Dr. Maria Montessori (pictured), this method is designed around how children naturally learn best: through hands-on exploration, freedom within limits, and respect for their unique pace of development.
Hands-On Learning: They touch, build, pour, match, and explore during the activities. This deepens understanding and makes learning joyful.
Independence & Confidence: Even the youngest children learn to prepare their own snack, put on their coat, and tidy up after themselves. They develop a quiet confidence that carries into every part of life.
Social & Emotional Growth: Mixed-age groups teach empathy and cooperation. Younger children learn from older ones, and older children develop leadership by helping their peers.
Calm, Beautiful Environment: The prepared environment helps children focus. They learn to respect their space, their materials, and each other.
A Lifelong Love of Learning: Because Montessori follows the child’s natural interests, children become self-motivated learners — curious and excited to discover more.
It’s a different kind of classroom…
Step inside a Montessori nursery and you’ll notice it feels different. The space is calm, warm, and beautifully organised — every shelf, every basket, every tiny table has a purpose. Children move freely, choosing from carefully designed materials that spark their natural curiosity.
A variety of activities, including maths and language tools that make abstract ideas concrete and hands-on.
A very relaxed environment, so children can develop at their own pace and be able to go into deep concentration on their activities.
Practical life activities like cooking and preparing their lunch and snack, helping develop independence and coordination!
Does It Work?
Yes!
And history shows us how powerful Montessori education can be. Many well-known innovators, leaders, and creators attribute their successes to their Montessori education in their early years. Here are some examples, just to name a few…
Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon, says Montessori taught him to be “self-directed” and to explore his own interests — he even credits it for sparking his innovation mindset.
Larry Page & Sergey Brin, Co-Founders of Google, both credit Montessori for encouraging curiosity and independent thinking, which shaped their approach to building Google.
Beyoncé Knowles, Singer, PerformerAttended Montessori as a child, known for her creativity and discipline.
Taylor Swift, Singer-Songwriter, early Montessori education encouraged her love of writing and storytelling.
Who We Are
We are “Children’s Cottage Nurseries”, founded by Pamela Gordon-Smith!
At Children’s Cottage Nurseries, we’re passionate about giving every child the best possible start through authentic Montessori education. Our team of AMI-trained practitioners has been trusted by families in Cambridge for years — we currently operate three thriving Montessori nurseries there.
Some of our nurseries, like the Old Station Nursery in Linton, began as run-down buildings that we lovingly restored and transformed into warm, inspiring “homes away from home.” Parents know us for our commitment to excellence, nurturing care, and beautifully prepared learning environments.
Watch the video below to see what our latest Nursery in Linton, Cambridge, looks like!
Now, we’re excited to bring this same vision to Saltburn — creating a stunning seaside nursery where children from birth to six can thrive, explore, and grow surrounded by nature and a calm, Montessori setting.
Why Saltburn, Why Now
Saltburn is a community full of energy and potential. It deserves a Montessori nursery where children can flourish. With planning approval underway at Laurieston House, we are preparing to open our doors this October!
Enrollment will start from October 2025
Join Our Priority Families List!
If you think we sound like the right fit for you, then complete our quick form to register your interest. This puts you first in line for enrolment offers and open day invitations.
👶 Who Can Join? Families with children ages 0–6 years who are interested in Montessori education and want to secure a place as soon as we open.
Why Join Early?
🎟️ Limited Spaces: Our Montessori classrooms are intentionally small to give each child the attention they deserve
📩 Early Access: Be first to hear about open days and enrolment
❤️ Peace of Mind: No worrying about missing out — your spot in line is reserved
Register Your Interest in Montessori Cottage Nurseries Saltburn
We’d love to keep you updated as we prepare to open in Saltburn. Please share your details below, and we’ll be in touch with the next steps.