Nido Montessori Nursery

Montessori here means learning through practical tasks and growing independence, the clearest thread at this small Camden setting for children from birth to three. It has capacity for 18 children, while the latest full Ofsted inspection, in June 2021, judged it Good. The report describes children filling a watering can for plants, cleaning up spilled water and confidently choosing what to explore.

The address is The Tenants Community Hall, 48 Jacaranda House, Lithos Road, London NW3 6EF. It operates as full day care on non-domestic premises for a small group. Full-day and half-day attendance are listed.

The Montessori-based curriculum means children learn through practical, child-led tasks, with independence and knowledge of each child's development shaping the next steps. In June 2021, children watched chicks hatch, fed them and changed their drinking water. They also fitted puzzle pieces and shapes indoors, then balanced, climbed and jumped outdoors. These practical tasks gave young children reasons to solve problems and coordinate small and large movements.

In June 2021, staff held high expectations and children made good progress towards children's next educational stage. It identified a need for the nursery to develop expressive arts and design further. Children washed their hands regularly, ate nutritious food and talked about favourite fruit and vegetables. Everyday care therefore became part of learning rather than sitting apart from it.

Outdoor routines had also changed in response to children's circumstances. After identifying that some children had limited access to outdoor space away from nursery, the setting provided more daily garden time. That gave climbing, jumping and balancing a more consistent place in the week.

Children also took initiative when water spilled: they fetched towels and cleaned it themselves. That is a small but telling example of responsibility being taught through a real task. Staff responded positively, and children confidently continued exploring rather than waiting for an adult to solve the problem.

Knowledge of individual development guided the curriculum. When extra help was needed, staff used targeted plans with parents, connecting nursery practice with what families knew about the child. This helped all children progress, rather than reserving the Montessori emphasis on independence for the most confident.

In June 2021, children were happy and settled, formed secure attachments and responded positively to kind staff. Targeted plans were agreed with parents when a child needed extra help. Parents also received support during the pandemic, and staff were observed and coached to improve their teaching.

Safeguarding arrangements were effective in June 2021. Staff understood child-protection concerns, recruitment and premises checks. Staff managed immediate hazards, though Ofsted identified a need for them to do more to help children recognise and assess risks themselves. This improvement point is closely connected to Montessori independence: adults need to protect children while also teaching them how to notice danger.

Children behaved very well and developed manners and friendships. Staff supported personal hygiene and healthy eating, while secure relationships gave children confidence to explore. For very young children, that combination links emotional security with growing autonomy.

Staff reported feeling valued and supported. Ongoing training, observation and coaching provided a route for improving teaching, while the manager held a clear view of what children should learn. That matters because a practical curriculum relies on adults knowing when to demonstrate, when to prompt and when to let a child persevere.

The registered age range is birth to three. Full-day and half-day attendance are listed from 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. The all-year schedule excludes bank holidays and two-week closures at Christmas, Easter and in summer. Current session details and closure dates need direct verification. The funded-entitlement arrangements are not established, and a current written quotation is available from the nursery.

• Current practical offer. Full-day and half-day attendance are listed, but the precise patterns and closure dates currently sold need verification. This determines whether the nursery can cover the pattern your family needs.
• Creative curriculum. Look for how expressive arts and design have developed since the 2021 inspection. Concrete examples will show how the earlier improvement point is addressed in children's week.
• Risk awareness. Look at how staff now help children notice and judge manageable risks. The distinction matters in a setting built around growing independence.

Nido Montessori Nursery suits families drawn to a small setting where practical activity and independence shape learning. The strongest evidence is dated, but it is specific: gardening, caring for chicks, puzzles and physical play supported confident exploration. Its full-day and half-day availability may suit families needing either a longer weekday or a shorter part-day pattern, with current session details and closure dates verified before joining.