Crossharbour Montessori Day Nursery

Independence has a practical shape at Crossharbour Montessori Day Nursery: babies learning to feed themselves, toddlers putting plates away and older children managing personal care. Those November 2022 examples give substance to its Montessori approach, an educational philosophy that encourages children’s independence and learning through their own activity.

At the 7 November 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. The setting has capacity for 140 children at 126 East Ferry Road, London E14 9FP. That is whole-nursery capacity, rather than the size of any child’s group.

Movement is another thread running through the offer. Dance, baby gym, yoga and sports sessions are included in fees, alongside trips and meals. These group-wide additions are offered at this branch, giving families an attendance cost that includes those activities rather than a separate bill for each one.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care: in everyday terms, learning involves play, conversation, movement and growing independence. Montessori education sits alongside that framework here. Its emphasis on independence makes the practical routines as relevant as the organised activities.

In November 2022, babies explored dry pasta by moving it between containers and investigating its shape and texture. Furniture gave them support as they practised standing. Toddlers heard stories together, with opportunities to acquire vocabulary through shared listening. These were different experiences for different stages of development, rather than one activity applied across the nursery.

Older children’s outdoor play in November 2022 involved a climbing frame and wooden steps. Sharing the equipment gave them opportunities to practise cooperation as well as movement. Children could use the outdoor space throughout the day, making physical activity part of the daily rhythm.

Family identity also had a place in November 2022 activities. A world map prompted conversations about relatives and holidays, while a family board displayed photographs brought in by parents. For children whose families have connections elsewhere, those concrete objects made their own experiences part of the conversation.

At its November 2022 inspection, Ofsted found that staff supported children with special educational needs and/or disabilities effectively, working with parents on plans and involving external agencies, and that children made good progress towards skills needed for school. The useful detail is the combination of family involvement and outside expertise, rather than a broad promise that one approach suits everyone.

In November 2022, moves between rooms happened gradually, giving children time to adjust and build relationships with new staff. Practitioners also learnt words from children’s home languages, with shared-language staff supporting communication with families. That mattered both for children taking part in conversation and for parents exchanging information.

A parent app supported two-way updates about learning in November 2022. However, help with extending that learning at home needed more attention. Staff also needed a deeper understanding of child development so that their conversations during play could stretch children’s learning further. These are meaningful limitations: engaging activities and friendly communication need to be matched by purposeful interactions and useful guidance for home.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm on weekdays. The nursery operates across the year, with closures during Christmas week and on bank holidays. Its room waiting lists use the branch enquiry form as the joining route; this is a booking rule, rather than an indication of how many places are free.

Getting There

The address is 126 East Ferry Road, London E14 9FP. Crossharbour Station is on the DLR line, and the nursery describes the connection as a minute walk to Crossharbour Station (on the DLR line).

Funding and Paid Extras

The nursery offers 15 hours and 30 hours funding, and accepts childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare payments. Meals, trips and the activity extras are included in fees; the funding offer and those fee inclusions should be considered separately when planning attendance.

• Learning through conversation. In November 2022, staff needed to develop their understanding of how to stretch children’s learning during play. On a visit, ask for an example of how practitioners adapt an activity when a child is ready for a greater challenge.
• Support beyond nursery. November 2022 communication included a parent app, but families needed more encouragement and guidance for learning at home. Ask how updates now translate into practical ideas you can use with your child.
• Funded attendance costs. The nursery offers 15 hours and 30 hours funding, while meals and activity extras are included in fees. What meal and consumable arrangements apply specifically to funded attendance?
• Joining a room. The enquiry form is the route onto the room waiting lists. Discuss the settling arrangements for the room your child would join, including how the gradual transitions seen in November 2022 inform that process.

Crossharbour suits families drawn to Montessori education, physical activity and practical independence, with weekday opening across the year. Its November 2022 examples are concrete: children practising self-care, sharing outdoor equipment and using family photographs to talk about their lives. The Good judgement provides a dated quality reference, while the development points make staff interactions and support for home learning worthwhile subjects for a visit.