Streatham Montessori Day Nursery

Wooden Cylinders, weekly French and a soft-surfaced outdoor play area give Streatham Montessori Day Nursery its character. Practical materials sit alongside language and music activities, with independence a central theme of the Montessori approach: children explore equipment at their own pace.

At 66 Blairderry Road, London SW2 4SB, the nursery has capacity for 34 children and accepts children from six months. No Ofsted inspection has been published for this setting yet. Its curriculum and care arrangements therefore provide the practical basis for a family's decision, rather than an inspection judgement.

A semi-detached residential property houses four classrooms across two floors, plus an outdoor area with a soft surface. The age groups described are 12 months to two years, two to three years and three to five years.

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the framework for children's learning through play and daily activities; Montessori adds practical exercises and materials children can explore independently. Practical Life Exercises use familiar objects to develop coordination and self-care. Wooden Cylinders introduce mathematical and geometric ideas through handling materials, making abstract concepts tangible.

For toddlers, monthly themes accompany construction, pretend play and sensory activities. Corn flour, jelly and water provide different textures to investigate, while dressing-up clothes and a farm box support imaginative play. These activities give toddlers opportunities to build, imagine and investigate textures.

French takes place weekly, introducing words, numbers and songs. A weekly Music and Movement lesson explores instruments, rhythm and tempo, with music also woven into other activities. The curriculum programme sets out how these sit alongside reading, writing and arithmetic activities.

Settling starts with a child entry record covering routines, preferences and comforters. Parent and child then attend an introductory session together, with its timing agreed individually. That gives staff practical information about the child before separation begins.

A SENCO role forms part of the staff structure. For children with additional needs, staff liaise with parents and involve outside agencies where appropriate. These are support mechanisms, rather than a promise about outcomes.

Meals are prepared in the nursery kitchen. Its dietary policy provides for work with families on special requirements, and menus are displayed for parents.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Morning sessions finish at noon for ages one to two and at 12.30pm for ages two to five; afternoon and full-day sessions finish at 6pm. Morning attendance must begin by 9.30am, and afternoon attendance by 12.45pm: these are arrival deadlines.

Public holidays, a Christmas week and three annual training days bring closures; families receive advance notice of training dates. Enquiries can be made by phone or email through the nursery's contact route.

Funding and Paid Extras

Parents can request the current fee list by phone or email. Payments are monthly in advance, due by the fifth, and fees continue during sickness and other absences. A confirmed place requires a deposit; withdrawal requires eight weeks' written notice, with fees payable throughout that period. The fees page explains payment and collection terms.

• The youngest children. Entry begins at six months, while the described groups start at 12 months. On a visit, ask how care for younger babies is organised.
• Collection times. Morning sessions end at different times according to age. Factor the noon or 12.30pm finish into your working day.
• Notice commitment. Eight weeks' written notice is required to withdraw, with fees continuing throughout. Build that commitment into plans for changing childcare.

For families seeking Montessori activities alongside weekly language and music lessons, the offer has concrete substance. It suits both morning-session and full-day attendance, with afternoon sessions adding another pattern. Individually arranged introductions provide a useful starting point for settling, while collection deadlines and notice terms deserve close attention before committing.