Little Winners Montessori Nursery

Matching a child with the adult they bond with gives Little Winners Montessori Nursery a clear starting point for care. In January 2025, staff observed those relationships during settling before choosing each child's key person, rather than assigning one at the outset.

At its January 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. This East Dulwich setting has capacity for 30 children, with an accepted age range of 3 to 60 months.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children's learning, development and care. Here, the January 2025 activities included signing, preparing snacks and learning to dress for outdoor play: practical ways to develop communication and independence alongside learning.

At the January 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that the curriculum used children's interests and next learning steps, supported by Montessori resources, and that collaboration with parents and other agencies helped children with SEND make progress towards realistic targets.

Everyday tasks supplied concrete learning opportunities that January. Older children cut fruit with guidance on handling knives and counted the pieces. Staff taught younger children to descend stairs backwards, while putting on coats and shoes formed part of preparation for the next stage of learning.

Group activities needed more careful adjustment. In January 2025, mixed-age circle times sometimes continued after children became restless, interrupting others' concentration. Staff also hurried countdowns before changing activities, leaving too little time for children to finish what they were doing.

Signing gave children another way to express themselves in January 2025. Staff taught signs for useful words so that children could communicate needs before they could explain them aloud. That matters when frustration comes from being unable to make yourself understood.

Behaviour guidance was adapted to the children attending that January, with rules and questions adjusted to their understanding. Communication with families included accident forms and information about first aid, keeping parents informed about incidents.

A parent committee contributed feedback in January 2025, and staff offered families ideas for continuing learning at home. These were practical links between nursery life and home, rather than communication confined to incidents.

The address is 3 Lacon Road, East Dulwich, London SE22 9HE. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except bank holidays.

In January 2025, the nursery offered funded early education for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated account of funding participation, rather than a guarantee of a funded place.

• Mixed-age circle time. January 2025 mixed-age circle time activities were not always adjusted promptly when children became restless. The balance of group activities matters for children at different developmental stages.
• Time to finish. In January 2025, transitions could cut learning short. Children who need longer to complete an activity may find hurried changes difficult.
• Attendance and costs. At a visit, what booking patterns can families choose, and how are funded hours, meals and consumables handled?

Little Winners suits families who value practical independence and care built around a child's relationships with staff. Its January 2025 strengths included signing, hands-on snack preparation and choosing key people through settling. The reservations are specific: adapting circle time and allowing children enough time before moving on deserved attention.