list of local montessori nurseries

[kelda]

Hi,

Ive been searching for this info on the forum for a list of Montessori registered nurseries/preschools and have found Half Moon Montessori and Dulwich Montessori (and Cherry Tree on Lacon Road tho not sure how much this actually follows Montessori?)

Could anyone let me know if there are any other Montessori nurseries local to East Dulwich/Forest Hill please.

Also as I know theres often big variations, if anyone has an indication to how closely they follow the Montessori teaching technique Id be really intersted to hear.

Thanks very much

[redjam]

Blossoms on Dunstans Grove is also a Montessori nursery. It's small and lovely!

[gwod]

Half Moon Montessori is great, I love it. However it is not hardcore Montessori in that although it does use all the precribed wooden montessori learning tools and activities' it also uses other stuff as well. In some ways this makes it even more child-led than the by-the-book Montessori method (I have some experience of this to compare as well) as children are able to do such a wide variety of things depending on their individual interests. Horses for courses....

Also I think all nurseries in which you can use the govt childcare vouchers now have to have some handwriting, letter and numberwork in the term before you start school - this is very un-montessori as they would prefer to wait til the child indicates they are ready, but nearly all Montessoris do this now otherwise thhy would price themselves out of the market.

[Zo?]

Seconding Blossoms on Dunstan's Grove.

[littlemissindulgence]

cherry tree bit grubby and shabby. V small outdoor area. Not my choice. Kids seemed ok though and happy!

[jollyrogers]

There's also Little Fingers Montessori on Burbage Road.

[alieh]

Sorry to hi-jack, but can I just ask those recommending Blossoms....what do people do about holiday cover as I understand Blossoms is term time only? Are there childminders and/or nannies that just work in the school holidays or do people that work year-round just not use Blossoms?

[njc97]

Not ED/FH but there's also stepping stones in nunhead:

http://www.steppingstones.webspace.virginmedia.com/

[anapau]

Any nursery school can call themself a Montessori school without employing a single member of Montessori trained staff or using any Montessori material. Montessori Education UK has a list of the accredited Montessori schools in London (click here).

[redjam]

Alieh, in answer to your query re. Blossoms: yes the closure in school holidays is not ideal, but seeing as it's only open for school hours in term-time anyway (till 4pm) we've always had an after-school nanny on those days I work. So during the holidays we just ask her to do a few extra full days, and for the rest of the time we scrabble around with my husband and I taking time off and/or roping in the grandparents! I believe there are agencies that offer holiday solutions but we've never needed to recourse to them (yet).

Weirdly, it seems to be open during the Easter holidays - I've never quite understood why.

[pandb]

ED - Blossoms

Forest Hill - Rose House Montessori

[cmas]

Montessori center international has a website for schools that are accredited by MCI (not all montessori school are accredited) the schools I know are rose house (forest hill) dulwich village montessori, blossoms, half moon lane, and cherry tree. Im just listing them dont want to be biased to any.

[alieh]

Thanks redjam! That's really helpful.

[kelda]

Sorry for the delay, thanks to all of you for your help on this.

[jeanmb]

Little Fingers Montessori is pretty disappointing. Did not have good experience and staff seems very unprofessional. Ask to see their record of complaints if you consider them. This is a statutory requirement for nurseries to keep such records and it might give you insight in to their quality of care.

Jean

[mums4u]

i have to agree. The staff are very unprofessional and rude. With that kind of attitude what kind of example are they setting the children. Their ofsted is only satisfactory

[anatwins]

there is litte steps montessiri in upland road

[bell]

Cherry tree montessori nurseries is not a good place to send your little one.

I was doing my work experience there and the staffs and owner had left me in the building by myself.

I was terrified and called my tutor who change my nursery placement.

Feel sorry for anyone who sends there child there as they do not know what the staffs are like at all.

[denny]

Oh no I'm going to look round there this week, no surprise they had places then! Anyone know of any that have a year or less waiting list?

[Otta]

Our daughter has started at a new one in Forest Hill, which may still have places. Townsend montisorri nursery. Although to be honest, it's more like montisorri light. Met a mum there from ED, so you wouldn't be alone.

[denny]

Thanks I will check it out I'm starting to panic I have left it too late some have a two year waiting list!

[LoopyMum]

Faith Montessori

Stanstead Road, SE23

[Fidgetsmum]

Another vote for Half Moon in HH. Really excellent care and activities. My daughter completely loves it.

[louloulabelle]

Dulwich Montessori on College Road behind South Dulwich Church...

Lovely.

[mums4u]

The nursery on half moon lane requests a child is potty trained before they start which is from 2.5. i dont recommend the Montessori on Burbage Road. Staff are very unprofessional and the rooms have no air conditioning and are very pokey for the amount of children. i was not satisfied with my childs time there, no facilities or rooms for kids to have a nap.