Acton Day Nursery & Preschool

Hands-on STEM activities with recycled materials give Acton Day Nursery & Preschool its clearest character: children explore ideas through play, with language and communication running through the day. This High Street setting combines practical experimentation with creative activities and opportunities to become more independent.

At its December 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The detail matters as much as the grade: staff used children's interests to extend learning, while the two improvement priorities concerned physical development and support when changing activities.

At 294 High Street, London, W3 9BJ, the nursery has capacity for 36 children aged 24 to 60 months. Morning, afternoon and full-day bookings serve different attendance needs within a term-time operation.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning through play, covering communication, physical development, relationships and early experiences of literacy and mathematics. Activities follow children's interests, with play supporting communication, physical development and early literacy and mathematics. The practical implication is a day in which conversation, making and exploration can contribute to several areas of learning together.

Clearly defined activity spaces contain open-ended resources, giving children materials to explore and choices about their play. Hands-on STEM learning uses recycled and sustainable materials. Arts and Crafts adds another route into making, while shared activities give children opportunities to work alongside one another.

Makaton features during registration, and Science and Yoga workshops provide additional activity experiences. Music and Movement brings music into physical activity; core-strength exercises also form part of the current programme. These additions sit alongside the EYFS framework.

In December 2024, a child's interest in volcanoes became an experiment using water and bicarbonate of soda. Staff introduced vocabulary connected with the eruption as children explored what happened. It is a useful example of an interest becoming both an investigation and a conversation, rather than remaining a passing topic.

Stories also became active experiences in December 2024: children practised language by acting out what they had heard. Pouring, scooping, cutting and making marks gave them opportunities to use their hands with increasing control. The physical-development caveat is important, however: opportunities for larger movements needed to reach each child more consistently on the days they attended.

Relationships were built through attentive conversation in December 2024. Staff lowered themselves to children's height, listened to their ideas and spoke calmly. Praise was specific, including recognition of careful scissor use, so children could understand which action had been successful.

For children speaking other languages at home, familiar words and songs helped with comfort and understanding routines in December 2024. This is a concrete form of inclusion: a child's home language could help bridge the unfamiliar parts of nursery life. The current staff arrangements also include a buddy system.

At the December 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that leaders identified children needing SEND support early, worked with families and professionals, and arranged interventions or external referrals where needed. That finding describes a practical support process, with additional help connected to individual needs.

Self-care was part of everyday learning in December 2024. Children practised putting on coats with time and encouragement from staff, cut fruit for snacks and brushed their teeth after eating. These small tasks made independence something children could practise directly. They also offer a more concrete picture of preparation for the next stage than a general school-readiness claim.

Changes between activities were less consistent in December 2024. Some children struggled to stop one activity and begin another when staff support was insufficient. For a child who finds changes difficult, how the day is signposted deserves close attention.

Sessions and Attendance

The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, for 38 weeks each year, with bank-holiday closures. It operates during term time, so the calendar matters alongside the daily opening window when planning family childcare.

Bookings include full days, mornings and afternoons, with ad hoc sessions also offered from time to time. These are different ways of attending: a shorter session can suit a family wanting part of the day, while a full-day booking covers a different need. The opening hours describe the overall operating window.

Enquiries can be made on 0208 993 5690 or by email at info@littleinventorsmontessori.co.uk. Online visit booking includes the High Street branch as a selectable setting.

Funding and Paid Extras

The nursery accepts 15 and 30-hour funded childcare through a stretched model. Funded hours carry an age-dependent surcharge, so entitlement and the total childcare bill need to be considered separately. Paid childcare is also offered, with charges depending on age, attendance and use of funding; current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

A non-refundable registration charge applies when registering. A refundable deposit is required after accepting a place, subject to a two-month notice period. Tax-Free Childcare, childcare vouchers and Childcare Grants are accepted where applicable. The fees page sets out the charge structure.

Meals are supplied by Zebedee's Lunch Box and prepared on their delivery day; Around the World is a menu theme featuring international dishes every three weeks. Individual dietary requirements, including intolerances and cultural or religious needs, are accommodated.

• Movement across the day. December 2024 brought a recommendation for more consistent opportunities to develop larger physical movements. On a visit, ask how the current core-strength exercises and movement activities reach children attending different sessions.
• Changing activities. Support between parts of the routine was another December 2024 improvement priority. Ask how staff prepare children to finish an absorbing activity and move on, especially if your child finds changes difficult.
• Term-time funding and charges. The nursery operates for 38 weeks and offers stretched funding with an age-dependent surcharge. Ask for one written breakdown showing the attendance calendar, funded hours, meals, consumables and any additional charges together.

Acton Day Nursery & Preschool suits families seeking morning or afternoon sessions as well as full-day care during term time. Recycled-material STEM activities, language-led play and a named meal supplier give the offer substance. The December 2024 Good judgement provides a clear inspection position, balanced by specific questions about larger physical movements and changes between activities. Those are useful priorities for assessing whether the daily routine fits your child.