First Steps Montessori Day Nursery

A Victorian house, ground-floor rooms opening directly onto the garden, and Montessori learning give First Steps its character. At 254 Upland Road in London, the nursery has capacity for 35 children, with a current age range from 18 months to five years.

No Ofsted inspection has been published for this setting yet. The practical offer combines a daily garden routine, additional activities and a key person allocated before a child starts.

Across two floors, three rooms separate younger children upstairs from children aged two to five downstairs. The ground-floor rooms have direct garden access, while the enclosed garden is used daily. This makes outdoor activity part of the nursery day rather than an occasional outing.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers learning including language, physical development and early number skills. Alongside that framework, the Montessori Method gives children choices within boundaries and time to pursue an activity. Its curriculum includes practical life skills and sensory work; children’s own choices sit alongside activities led by adults.

Weekly Spanish lessons are for preschool children. Emma Sparkles classes involve dance, movement and imaginative play and are offered to all children. Cooking and baking activities explore food and healthy eating, adding practical experiences alongside the learning framework.

Settling begins with a familiar adult. A key person is assigned before attendance starts, and introductory sessions last approximately two hours during the fortnight before admission. These sessions are free and adjusted to the child’s needs. Parents can stay initially, with telephone updates during the early days helping them follow how settling is progressing.

The key person also contributes written observations and provides a regular contact for everyday conversations. Monthly newsletters cover nursery developments, while twice-yearly parents’ evenings bring families and key workers together to discuss next steps. For children with identified additional needs, the nursery says it intends to collaborate with parents and relevant agencies.

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas. Its address is 254 Upland Road, London SE22 0DN; enquiries can be made by telephone or email.

Private fees include freshly prepared meals, snacks and nursery activities. Funded childcare is offered under the government’s 15-hour and 30-hour entitlements, with eligibility conditions applying; meals, snacks, additional activities and special events carry separate charges for funded hours. Fees are calculated over 50 weeks and paid in equal monthly instalments throughout the year. Request a current written quotation from the nursery. The fees page explains the charging structure.

• Upstairs care for younger children. Their room is on the first floor, while older children have direct garden access downstairs. During a visit, discuss how outdoor time works for the youngest children.
• Settling time. Introductory sessions take place before the start date, and parents can stay initially. Allow room in your plans for this gradual introduction.
• Funded attendance. Funded hours have additional charges for food, activities and events. How would the funded hours be spread across your intended attendance pattern?

First Steps suits families seeking Montessori learning alongside weekly preschool Spanish, movement classes and practical cooking activities. Its advance settling sessions and regular parent conversations give families concrete ways to participate. The weekday opening window is useful for planning care, while funded attendance needs to be considered alongside its additional charges.