Living Spring Montessori

Living Spring Montessori works within the Early Years Foundation Stage, which turns communication, physical development, personal and social growth, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts into learning through play, routines and children's interests. Its clearest strength is the quality of its early-years practice. Ofsted judged the setting Outstanding in February 2024, with Outstanding judgements across education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Safeguarding arrangements were effective.

The nursery accepts children from six months to five years and has 52 places in total. It operates from St. Michael's Church Annex on St. Michael's Road in Cricklewood.

Staff used observations of play, routines and children's interests to decide useful next steps rather than treating the day as a miniature timetable of lessons. Learning was ambitious and responsive. In February 2024, children made rapid progress in confidence and independence, while staff extended communication with demanding vocabulary and practical challenges. The Early Years Foundation Stage means learning is built through play and everyday experiences across communication, physical development, personal development and the wider areas of learning.

Independence is purposeful here. Children practised dressing fasteners, shared and tidied resources, and persevered with challenges. Practitioners created age-appropriate opportunities for babies to build mobility indoors and outside. Early physical development received deliberate attention. Older children built a fire engine from interlocking bricks after deciding how to extend work about people who help them. A magnetic fishing challenge held children's attention until they succeeded. These are small episodes, but together they show staff joining physical control, imagination and perseverance to purposeful learning.

Behaviour was taught as carefully as knowledge. Children shared, used their manners and took responsibility for tidying. In grace and courtesy circle times, staff used props to connect modelled conduct with situations children understood. Practical skills were also sequenced: once children could handle cutters confidently, staff introduced safe knife use. The implication is a day that expects children to become capable, considerate participants rather than passive recipients of care.

Relationships are a defining asset. Ofsted found that every child had a highly qualified key person who knew them exceptionally well. Sensitive care and strong bonds helped children feel secure, while staff modelled kindness, respect and self-control.

Parent partnership was another inspection strength, including workshops about child development. Leaders invested in staff training and worked closely with other professionals and the local community. Safeguarding received maximum priority, supported by vigilant supervision and an open, positive culture centred on children's interests.

Support also reached beyond the immediate team. Practitioners worked effectively with other professionals, while leadership of special educational needs coordination helped connect children with appropriate expertise. For families, the combination of a well-informed key person and close professional collaboration matters: everyday changes can be noticed by someone who knows the child, then shared with the right specialist when necessary.

The registered address is St. Michael's Church Annex, St. Michael's Road, Cricklewood, London NW2 6XG. The setting's registered age range runs from six months to five years. Families should request a current written quotation directly from the nursery. Attendance needs an early conversation: ask whether booking is offered as full-day, half-day, morning or afternoon sessions and what weekly commitment applies. That establishes whether the practical pattern works before a family progresses an application.

• Attendance pattern. Ask which session patterns and minimum weekly commitment are currently offered. This determines whether the nursery can match a family's working week.
• Daily practicalities. Discuss meals, consumables, sleep arrangements and settling during an enquiry. These details matter most for babies and children attending longer days.
• Space for the preferred age group. Ask how children are grouped and how the rooms and outdoor areas are used for the relevant age. The total of 52 places describes the whole setting, not the size of an individual group.

The inspection evidence presents clear strengths: highly qualified key people, ambitious teaching, exceptional behaviour and strong parent partnership all stood out in 2024. It should suit families who value close relationships, deliberate independence-building and challenging learning from babyhood to preschool. The practical fit will depend on the attendance pattern available for the family's chosen days.