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Nursery at The Deenway Montessori School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Montessori learning starts early at Deenway: the nursery belongs to an independent school in Reading where the approach begins in early years. The school admits children from age three. This is an Islamic school, and its early-years Montessori practice draws on Association Montessori Internationale guidance and training. That gives families a named educational approach to consider alongside the school's religious character.
At the Ofsted inspection on 4 to 6 June 2024, early years provision was judged Good. Children showed enthusiasm for their learning and talked eagerly about their activities. The picture is of children taking an active interest in what they do.
The Montessori curriculum operates alongside the early years foundation stage, whose statutory requirements the school met in June 2024. Early learning under the EYFS includes engaging with books and developing physical skills. In June 2024, children chose books and listened to adults reading; action songs, circle time and playground games supported their physical development. For parents, both matter when considering how their child's early learning will be organised.
Books give a concrete glimpse of the day. The youngest children selected books from a varied collection and enjoyed them. Adults brought stories to life through expressive reading, giving children something to listen to as well as books to choose themselves. Choice and shared reading both feature in this picture of early learning.
Movement includes playground games, songs with actions and activities during circle time. These supported young children's physical development in June 2024, but there was a clear limitation: playground equipment and other resources were used too little and too infrequently. Children needed more opportunities to develop physically through different activities. For families, the practical question is how routinely that equipment now becomes part of children's play. The presence of equipment alone does not settle that question.
Observation is part of the Montessori approach here. In June 2024, staff used everyday observations and assessments to understand learning and consider changes for individual pupils. This connects the educational approach with attention to the individual child: what staff see during activities informs their thinking about what to adjust.
The youngest children's enjoyment of books also shows an adult role in their day. Expressive reading turns a book into a shared activity, while children's own selections leave room for their interests. Both are useful details for parents considering the balance between adult involvement and children's choices.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Ask the school about its Reception application arrangements, including the route, deadlines and whether nursery attendance confers any priority. Montessori learning here should not be taken as an admissions advantage.
The school is at 3-5 Sidmouth Street, Reading, RG1 4QZ. For enquiries, contact 0118 957 4747 or community@deenway.org. These provide a direct point of contact for families considering the nursery.
Montessori begins in early years, with practice informed by Association Montessori Internationale guidance and training. At the inspection on 4 to 6 June 2024, the school met the statutory requirements of the early years foundation stage.
Early years provision was judged Good at the inspection on 4 to 6 June 2024. This was an early-years judgement within the school's inspection.
Examples from June 2024 include choosing books, listening to expressive reading, playground games, songs with actions and circle time activities.
No. Ask the school about its Reception application arrangements, including any deadlines and whether nursery attendance confers priority.
In June 2024, equipment and other resources were not used frequently or fully enough to extend the youngest children's physical activity. Ask how these resources now feature in everyday play.
