Sheen Montessori Nursery

In March 2026, children at Sheen Montessori Nursery used number rods, experimented with dissolving substances and imagined cooking in a mud kitchen. Practical learning gave them plenty to investigate. Based at Palewell Cottage in London, it has capacity for 60 children.

At the March 2026 inspection, Ofsted awarded Strong standard in all six assessed areas and found that safeguarding standards were met. These were separate judgements covering achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare, curriculum, inclusion and leadership, rather than an overall grade.

In March 2026, children attending were aged 2 to 4, and different ages played and learnt together. Older children helped younger ones tackle tasks such as filling jars. That gave practical activities a social dimension, with children learning from one another as well as adults.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. In March 2026, the curriculum brought these together through a Montessori ethos, with practical tasks, small-group learning and opportunities to practise independence.

Science involved testing which substances dissolved, then connecting cloudy mixtures with familiar weather. Number rods supported counting, while a pretend shop brought calculations into play. Show-and-tell gave children opportunities to speak to friends, and stories about Ramadan connected learning with experiences at home.

Outdoor play was daily in March 2026. Children explored nature areas and used the mud kitchen for pretend food and potions, giving imaginative play a physical setting beyond the indoor activities.

At its March 2026 inspection, Ofsted found that relationships with key staff supported children's emotional security, settling support was effective, and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities made secure progress alongside their peers. For families, this links the care arrangements with how children participated and learnt.

In March 2026, staff used pictures and conversation to help children explore feelings. Individual support included instructions broken into manageable steps, small-group activities and plans reviewed as needs changed. Healthcare plans and adjustments to routines addressed additional needs and long-term medication, with health matters discussed with parents.

Staff also shared ideas for healthy lunch boxes in March 2026, and children practised tooth-brushing. Communication included updates about development; collaboration with schools and other agencies supported continuity when children moved on.

The address is Palewell Cottage, Palewell Common Drive, London, SW14 8RE.

In March 2026, opening hours were Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm. This is an inspection-time operating window, so it should be read as a dated practical detail.

• Attendance arrangements. The March 2026 opening window ran from 8.30am to 6pm on weekdays. What session pattern could your child attend now?
• Mixed-age learning. In March 2026, older children helped younger children with practical tasks. Consider how this shared learning would suit your child's confidence and independence.
• Next steps for inclusion. The March 2026 improvement priority was to sustain high standards while pursuing a greater impact for disadvantaged children and those facing barriers to learning or wellbeing. This gives families with additional support needs a useful priority to discuss.

Sheen Montessori Nursery suits families drawn to practical Montessori learning and interaction between different ages. The March 2026 examples are concrete: counting materials, science investigations and imaginative outdoor play. Its inspection position gives weight to that picture, while the emphasis on further strengthening outcomes for children facing barriers remains an important part of the judgement.