Colourbox at

Cherry Trees

Just a few more spaces left – enquire in advance

Bury St Edmunds

Montessori is about a child with a stick, digging a hole in the mud – hands dirty, engaged, fascinated, uninterrupted.

Trevor Eissler

Children and Nursery Nurse Playing with Montessori Toys

Children Learning About Birds in the Nursery

Toddler Smiling While Crawling Through a Tunnel

Child Smiling While Playing with a Montessori Toy Indoors

Child Playing with a Wooden Montessori Toy in the Nursery

staff-reading-book-with-child-playing-toy

Baby Playing with Wooden Toys and Messy Play in the Background

Pictures from our other sites, as this site is currently under renovation.

Our Montessori Nursery in Bury St Edmunds

Cherry Trees in Risby was established by Wendy Compson in 1982 and joined the Colourbox family in January 2025. Situated in the 7-acre grounds of Brookes Independent School, the nursery is in a rural setting which is only 10 minutes drive from the West side of Bury St. Edmunds.

From each of the 3 spacious rooms, doors open directly onto the gardens so that your child can spend as much time as possible in the open air. We are open year-round and children may attend full-time or part-time from 3 months of age.

Community Update

We were very saddened to hear the news about the closure of Brooke’s school, and our thoughts are with all the staff, families, and children affected by this difficult situation.We want to take a moment to reassure you that this closure does not affect our nursery in any way. We remain fully operational and are looking forward to a bright and exciting future.Over the summer, we’ve been working hard on some fantastic renovations, and we’re thrilled about the improvements being made. Our team is more ready than ever to welcome lots of new children in September, and we can’t wait to see our nursery community continue to grow.

We want to spread awareness about the benefits of Montessori education and to be a helpful resource in the wider education community.

Using Montessori approach, we help children aged 3 months to 5 years develop in all aspects—intellectual, social, physical, spiritual, and economic.

Child protection is paramount to providing safe and enriching learning environments for our families in West Suffolk and nearby areas.

“Everyone is Welcome” regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, or ability. We support initiatives such as the ‘Every Disabled Child Matters’ campaign.

Nurturing Young Bodies Year-Round with Freshly Prepared Meals

All meals are freshly prepared by our nursery chefs. Menus incorporate seasonal produce and are adjusted to children’s dietary needs where necessary. To learn more, visit our page about nursery nutrition.

Tracking Your Child's Experience

At Colourbox Montessori, we use Blossom to track and record your child’s development. Highlights are sent daily to your device, and you can upload your own observations so that we can work together to enhance your child’s learning. For more details, visit our page about the Blossom platform.

A dedicated team of professionals with a passion for education

It’s not just the children who are ‘excited about learning, excited about life’! We provide a wide variety of training opportunities for our team, not only to keep them up to date with the latest education and safety requirements, but also to further their personal and professional development. Learn more about our team on our about us page.

A truly Global Education

Montessori education inspires children to explore their surroundings and develop a deep understanding and respect for the various life forms, systems, and forces in our world. As technology increasingly connects us with people worldwide, it becomes essential for our children to use these tools to appreciate cultural differences. This will equip them to become global citizens in a rapidly changing world. To read more, visit our page about Montessori education.

Want to see our beautiful rooms? Scroll down to explore more!

Our Rooms

The Nest

“Freedom to explore”

This bright and airy room provides your baby/young toddler with everything they need to satisfy their curiosity through movement. Using Makaton sign language alongside calming and reassuring physical contact and heuristic play, we provide a rich environment which complements and supports the work that you have started from even before your baby was born.

Garden Room

“Maximum effort”

Older toddlers are in a state of perpetual motion and you will have noticed that they love to move things which are almost as big as themselves! This environment is rich in physical opportunities to help your child with this. our knowledgeable educators will guide their emotional and social development, whilst also helping them to develop meaningful language.

The World Room

“Help me to do it myself”

Now comes the important work of refining large and small motor skills. As your child develops, s/he will be offered a range of materials and activities that are unique to the Montessori classroom. The children are free to choose activities which capture their interest, and new activities are introduced as each child is ready for them. These activities are specifically designed to help children develop through use of all their senses, and they cover a broad spectrum that includes practical skills, co-ordination, sensorial, mathematics, geography, music, nature, language, science, history, culture and art & crafts. This emerging independence can certainly be seen as these little ones prepare their own snacks and wash their dishes.

Register Now for 2023 at Colourbox Forest School!

If you would like your child to attend a day, or more, at our new Forest School please register your interest with Miss Lindsey: [email protected] or call the Redwoods team on 07871349920 if you have any questions. Our Forest School, in the heart of Nowton Park is for our sole use with walled gardens on three sides and fencing along the border, with two gated entrances. It is a wonderful outdoor environment where children can explore, play and learn, supported by experienced Forest School staff. Open 8/5.15 Monday and Wednesday, 8.45/4.15 Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Fully catered on our two long days, hot lunch and snacks on the three shorter days. We have added a new cosy log cabin alongside our hobbit house. There are so many established outdoor experiences including a maize maze, mud pool, hammocks, gardening, country kitchen, construction – it’s just beautifully amazing!

NOW REGISTERING FOR 2023!

Testimonials

Staff here have been absolutely incredible throughout our journey here from September 2023 to present. My son is neurodivergent and staff have gone above and beyond to accommodate him and have been supportive of all observations/hospital appointments. They have quickly put into place any recommendations from medical professionals, as well as always being willing to write any of their own observations down on paper for me when needed as evidence. When my son was first diagnosed with one of his medical conditions, it was something staff hadn’t come across before (it’s also something most medical professionals haven’t come across before). However, they quickly did research into the condition so they were better able to understand and care for him. If I ever have a query, concern or request, I get a quick and thorough reply to my emails. I am so very grateful for all they do and would highly recommend them to anyone in the area looking for childcare.

My son attended Colourbox Montessori Nursery & Pre-School at the St Christopher site and had a wonderful time. He struggled with his behaviour but with the support we found from the staff, he completely turned a corner and was so happy there. He was always keen to go in and every photo I could see on the diary, he was smiling and engrossed in the activities they had. All the staff were lovely and accommodating and our child learnt so much just from being there a few days a week! He is at school now and even asks if he’s going back to his old nursery. The garden is huge and the resources they have are beautifully kept and everything is clean and tidy. The activities are really nice and I find going to the parent evenings to look around really helped me see why he loved it so much. Thank you so much Colourbox for creating such a lovely, caring and beautiful setting for my child to grow and flourish. We are forever thankful!

Well, what can I say? My two sons have been with Colourbox Montessori Nursery & Pre-School - St Christopher's for the past 5 years when my eldest was 8 months old and I made the hard decision to go back to work. My youngest son joined a year later. The Colourbox staff are just fantastic, friendly, supportive and just plain amazing. For 5 years you have given my sons the best start in life to education and play that I could have ever asked for. You have been there through thick and thin and given my sons the best care. I would never have considered anywhere else and would recommend you without a doubt. You are outstanding and will continue to thrive in the future. Thank you so so much for everything and can’t believe we are leaving you end of August when my youngest starts at school. You truly have given an amazing start to my sons' lives. Thank you again. The garden is huge and the resources they have are beautifully kept and everything is clean and tidy. The activities are really nice and I find going to the parent evenings to look around really helped me see why he loved it so much. Thank you so much Colourbox for creating such a lovely, caring and beautiful setting for my child to grow and flourish. We are forever thankful!

Contact Our Nursery

Jennie Donlon

Cherry Trees

I have worked within Montessori settings for the last 21 years starting as a practitioner, working my way to my current role as Nursery Manager at the Cherry Trees site in Risby.

During this time I have gained extensive knowledge which has enabled my progression to also undertake the role of SENCO and the Designated SafeGuard Lead . I have gained my Level 4 Montessori qualification, Level 3 Early Years, and Level 4 SENco.

I was introduced to Montessori in 2007 and immediately understood the benefits of the Montessori ethos which enables children to not only develop but thrive in an environment that is self teaching, natural and beautiful, promoting each and every child’s independence and self esteem. I have an excellent relationship with staff, parents and outside agencies .

When I am not at work I can be found walking for miles with my French Bulldog or chilling on the sofa with a good book which both give me peace and time for reflections.

Address

Colourbox @Cherry Trees, Flempton Rd., Risby, Bury St. Edmunds, IP28 6QJ

Opening Times

Monday & Friday:
7.30am – 5.30pm

Phone

07547 207375

Email

[email protected]

Outside Learning

Children enjoy being outside in all seasons, spending time growing plants, discovering and identifying wildlife, exploring, building dens, eating lunch and taking naps in the fresh air!

Colourbox Montessori Bury St Edmunds

At Colourbox Montessori we use a secure online platform called Blossom to track and record your child’s development and achievements, and highlights are delivered to your phone (or other device) every day. You are also able to upload your own observations of your child – sharing your child’s nursery journey builds strong trusting parent partnerships!

How to find us?

We’re easy to reach! Whether you’re arriving by car, bike, bus, or on foot, you’ll find convenient options to get here.

Car

Risby is just off the A14 near Bury St. Edmunds.
Drive along Flempton Rd through Risby village to Brookes School - turn left through the school entrance and follow the one-way drive – you will find the nursery parking spaces just beyond the Brookes reception building.

Check our Availability

Our other site in the Bury Saint Edmunds area

Did you know we have two nurseries in Bury St Edmunds?
If you are exploring options, we invite you to view our other Bury St Edmunds Montessori nursery and discover the setting that feels right for your family.