Sunflower Montessori Nursery School

Children’s emotional wellbeing stands out more clearly than any headline grade here. At its February 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged children’s welfare and wellbeing Strong standard, all five other assessed areas Expected standard, and safeguarding standards met. These are separate judgements rather than an overall rating.

Sunflower Montessori Nursery School has capacity for 50 children at 73 Leysdown Road, London, SE9 4UB. In February 2026, the children attending were aged one to four. Independence gave the day its character: preschool children chose resources, carried trays carefully and practised moving objects between containers.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care: here, February 2026 examples included practical play, conversation, counting and physical activity. Children shaped sand and dough, returned to familiar tasks to practise, and discussed their ideas. The emphasis was on doing things themselves.

In February 2026, climbing and sliding on large play equipment gave children opportunities to judge risks. Counting, measuring and comparing quantities brought mathematics into practical activities. Books, rhymes and visual prompts supported language, with home languages also used.

At the February 2026 inspection, Ofsted found teaching generally effective in child-led play but inconsistent in group activities, where staff needed to adapt their approach so everyone choosing to join could participate fully. That is the clearest educational reservation: a child’s engagement depended partly on the activity’s format.

In February 2026, settling babies involved working with parents and using familiar belongings from home. Staff adjusted routines when family circumstances changed or children returned after an absence. Individual plans supported attachment, while tailored specialist approaches helped children develop emotional regulation, making support responsive to a child’s circumstances rather than relying on one routine.

Speech therapists helped staff develop ways to teach children to follow instructions. In February 2026, staff also broke language development into manageable steps, moving from words towards phrases and sentences. More consistent signing remained a development priority, alongside sharing training and approaches to reading between rooms.

Kindness had practical expression. In February 2026, children were encouraged to recognise the effort behind another child’s creation, share resources and celebrate friends’ achievements. Nutrition specialists had also contributed to work on healthy habits.

The address is 73 Leysdown Road, London, SE9 4UB. In February 2026, opening hours were 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. This was the operating window at that inspection, rather than a description of bookable sessions.

• Group participation. In February 2026, adapting group teaching was the formal next step. During a visit, ask how staff now adjust activities for children whose attention or interests differ.
• Communication support. In February 2026, speech-therapy input sat alongside work to make signing more consistent. Ask how those approaches would be used for your child across the day.
• Attendance arrangements. The February 2026 opening window covered weekdays from 8am to 6pm. What booking patterns, funded-hours arrangements and charges for food or consumables would apply to your family?

The February 2026 picture suits parents who value practical independence and individual attention to emotional needs. Familiar belongings for settling, hands-on mathematics and speech-therapy collaboration give that judgement substance. The reservation is specific: group teaching needed greater consistency. Families whose children benefit from adapted shared activities should make that the central visit discussion.