Les Petites Etoiles Bilingual Montessori, West Hampstead

French and English shaped the day here when Ofsted visited in July 2023. The curriculum developed communication, physical skills and personal and social growth through play, observation and carefully planned next steps. Children switched confidently between the two languages, with Mandarin-speaking staff and support for additional home languages adding further breadth. Ofsted judged the nursery Outstanding at that inspection, including Outstanding judgements for education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

The Fordwych Road setting serves children from six months to five years and has capacity for 40 children. Its strongest documented qualities are close staff-child relationships, ambitious teaching and a garden used for purposeful exploration.

In July 2023, the curriculum was carefully sequenced and adapted to individual needs. It sat within the Early Years Foundation Stage. In parent terms, this play-based framework covers seven areas of learning, including communication and language, physical development, personal and social development, literacy and mathematics. Practitioners observe what each child can do, adapt activities and plan the next step instead of running a school-style timetable. The activities observed in July 2023 held children's attention and drew them into active involvement. Staff held high expectations while adjusting opportunities to individual needs, so ambition did not mean pushing every child through the same activity at the same speed.

The bilingual approach was practical, not decorative. Language learning ran through ordinary interactions. In July 2023, children communicated in French and English throughout the day and moved confidently between them. The team also turned ordinary events into investigations: rainwater falling from the roof and gathering in a puddle prompted questions about where rain comes from and why.

Garden time carried the same intent. In July 2023, herbs and flowers became prompts for sensory descriptions, while the outdoor equipment encouraged babies to share and work alongside one another. The garden therefore supported both close observation and early cooperation.

The same independence ran indoors. Children followed familiar routines, respected their surroundings and accepted small responsibilities. These are modest details, but together they show a curriculum reaching beyond planned adult-led activities: communication, cooperation and self-care were threaded through the day.

Relationships were a defining strength. At the July 2023 inspection, children appeared secure and content, with staff showing detailed knowledge of each child and supporting their emotional wellbeing. Older children took responsibility by collecting snacks, cutting fruit and helping to clear away; this made independence part of daily routines.

A fresh four-course lunch was served on the inspection day. Babies and younger children fed themselves, while older children served their own food. Safeguarding arrangements were effective in July 2023: staff understood signs of abuse, referral and whistle-blowing procedures, and children were well supervised.

The nursery is at 107 Fordwych Road, London, NW2 3TL. The documented age range runs from six months to five years. The provider record identifies the service as full-day care across the year, with closures for bank holidays, two weeks at Christmas, one week at Easter and the final two weeks of August. This is a full-day model rather than a menu of short sessions. Families should request a provider-specific written quotation before deciding.

• Bilingual balance. The July 2023 inspection found children using French and English confidently. Families should discuss how each language is used across their child's likely week and age group.
• Food and allergies. The inspection recorded a fresh four-course lunch and children serving or feeding themselves. Families with dietary or allergy needs should establish the current menu and food arrangements before joining.
• Long-day structure. The documented pattern is full-day care. Families needing mornings, afternoons or shorter days should establish whether the full-day model matches how they intend to use childcare.

Overall, this remains a compelling option for families drawn to genuine French-English immersion rather than an occasional language activity. The 2023 inspection evidence also shows thoughtful teaching, warm relationships and productive outdoor learning. It best suits families seeking full-day care alongside serious French-English language development and a play-led curriculum. Parents wanting mornings or afternoons rather than full days will need to weigh the attendance structure carefully, but the educational picture documented in 2023 was exceptionally strong.