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Pinecones Day Nursery

Pinecones Day Nursery

A nurturing and creative environment where every child feels safe, valued, and inspired to learn through play

Mon - Fri: 08:00 - 18:00
Age: 0 - 60 months
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Open Day: Sat 9 May
We're here to help

We’re here for you Mon - Fri: 07:00 - 18:30

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About Pinecones Day Nursery

  • Pinecones Day Nursery is an OFSTED GOOD (2024) nursery nestled on the grounds of Totton College, offering a purpose built, open plan setting for children aged 3 months to 4 years. Our cosy baby room cares for up to 15 little ones a day with a 3:1 ratio, while our early years room brings together up to 35 2-4 year olds in a mixed age environment where younger children naturally learn alongside older role models.

  • Guided by The Curiosity Approach, every space is thoughtfully designed with open ended, natural resources that spark imagination and invite little learners to explore at their own pace. A large part of the nursery day is spent outdoors where children climb, dig, build and get wonderfully messy in our mud kitchen.

  • Fresh, home cooked meals are prepared daily by our cook Penny, and our close knit team works hand in hand with families to ensure every child feels safe, settled and truly at home.

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Nursery Facilities

Discover the facilities available at our nursery and how they support your child's care, learning, and development.

Buggy Store

Buggy Store

A dedicated space to safely store your buggy during the day, making drop-off and pick-up easier and hassle-free.

Our Nursery Fees

We understand how important it is to have a clear picture of the costs associated with your child's care. Our fee sheet is designed to be transparent and straightforward, so please click below and take your time to look through it.

You can also learn more about fees and funding options on our dedicated pages Fees and funding page

If you have any questions at all, please do get in touch. We are always happy to talk things through with you.

Nutritional Approach

We believe food is fundamental to healthy growth, happy minds, and positive lifelong habits. In the earliest years, what children eat shapes taste preferences, supports brain development, and lays the foundations for long-term health.

All meals are freshly prepared on site each day using quality, seasonal ingredients. Our menus are developed with expert guidance, designed for inclusion, and go beyond Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. We want every child to become a confident, curious eater.

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Meet Our Nursery Manager

Gemma Bratherton

Hi, my name is Gemma, and I'm the Nursery Manager at Pinecones Day Nursery. I joined the team in March 2018 and have loved supporting the nursery in developing our ethos, curriculum, and the professional growth of our wonderful team.

I've worked in childcare since 2007, gaining my Level 3 Diploma, a Foundation Degree in Early Years, and a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood along the way. In 2025, I also took on the role of Leading Foundation Stage Practitioner for Hampshire, supporting managers and practitioners across the county in developing best practice. I'm passionate about giving children the very best start in life through positive interactions and inviting environments they'll remember for a lifetime.

What to Expect on Your Nursery Tour

Open Day photo
Open Day photo
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Our Next Open Day

Saturday 9th of May:

Meet our friendly team

Meet our friendly team

Learn about our curriculum

Learn about our curriculum

Explore funding options

Explore funding options

Explore our rooms and areas

Explore our rooms and areas

Our Commitments

Our curriculum is built around five core commitments that guide how we nurture every child.

Critical And Creative Thinkers

Nurturing curiosity and confidence to imagine, test ideas, and solve problems through exploration.

Sense of Belonging

Building secure, trusting relationships so every child feels safe, valued, and confident.

Explorers of Our World

Connecting children to nature through outdoor experiences that build resilience and independence.

Confident Communicators

Supporting every child to express themselves in ways that are meaningful to them.

Happy and Healthy

Encouraging physical activity, healthy eating, and joyful experiences that support lifelong wellbeing.

Our Curriculum

At Pinecones, we believe children learn best through explorative, child-led play. Guided by The Curiosity Approach, our skilled practitioners tune in to each child's interests and create thoughtful invitations to learn that spark curiosity, imagination, and wonder. We've stepped away from commercial toys in favour of authentic materials and loose parts - think ceramic tea sets, buttons, corks, and fabrics - encouraging open-ended, imaginative play where no two days are ever the same.

Our nurseries are calm, tranquil spaces designed with neutral colours and natural materials, striking the right balance between engagement and your child's wellbeing. A majority of the nursery day is spent outdoors - come rain or shine - where children explore, read, hunt for bugs, and make mud pies! We also nurture strong community connections through visits to our local library, police station, and feeder schools, helping your child build confidence and independence for the adventures ahead.