The Villa Nursery & Preschool

[MellowYellow]

We?ve just been offered a place which is great. We last visited nearly 2 years ago though so wondered if anyone had more recent experience of it. In particular what the environment is like with the little ones - playfocuused or more educational? It seems very well run.

Thanks in advance

[j-mo]

Hi - we?ve got 2 children there who?ve both been there since they were 2. They are now both in the school.

We love it and I think the nursery is especially good. My eldest was somewhere else before and the Villa is way better. Great outdoor space, great staff. Highly recommended.

[Fidgetsmum]

It's a few years ago but both our kids went there and we were all sad to leave. Daughter was there until the end, son left at end of nursery. Went on to great schools after so no complaints.

[sardinetincollector]

This nursery is absolutely incredible. My son (who is leaving this year to go to primary school) has been there since he turned 2. The wide range of activities they offer is wonderful. This evening my son has come home with a pizza that he has made and is counting in French and Spanish. He has been truly inspired to learn. The teachers are warm and friendly and crouch down to the children's level to greet them in the mornings. I can not think of a bad thing to say. We have been absolutely delighted with all aspects of the nursery. I'm just sad that he has to move on.

[Ctheo]

Hi, Can someone let me know what The Villa Pre-prep school is like and what was (will be) your little person destination school?

Many thanks

[Digbina]

As a former pre-prep parent, I'd think very carefully about sending your child to the Villa pre-prep. It is still trading on the reputation established under the previous head as a warm, nurturing happy place.

But it has changed under the new head. The 7+ talk starts in reception and the new head spoke openly to us about counselling parents about halfway through Y1 to remove their children before the 7+ looms. I also found that school was keen not to take responsibility for anything and almost obsessive about referring children to outside specialists for "assessment" (not just my experience, but that of at least two other parents in my child's year - I'm also aware of this happening in the nursery). This could be inexperience in child development, or maybe a lack of willingness to work with the children in question on the basis that it's easier to outsource any "problems". Either way, I don't think this reflects well on the school. A third of my child's year have now left and I know others are considering leaving too. I think that 7-8 children in a class is too small for a friendship group. My child's self-esteem and confidence suffered a great deal as a result of attending the pre-prep and I still feel guilty that I thought it would be a kind and welcoming place.

[Digbina]

You might wonder where my post about the Villa went. Apparently they claimed it had "legal implications" and got the Admin to remove it.

Funnily enough, in my original post, I was going to say that I know the staff there monitor the edf (I've seen them reading it with my own eyes when in the office - note, for the purposes of the Defamation Act, that's a fact/the truth - and I'd be prepared to state that in court) and that I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to suppress my report of my experience and information reported to me by other parents (note, for the purposes of the Defamation Act, that's my honest opinon). I deleted it because I thought that was perhaps being unfair, but QED (again, my honest opinion).

[j-mo]

Hi - I posted last time someone asked about this to say that I've got two children there and we love it, as do all of the other parents in both years. More than happy to answer any specific questions you might have.

My oldest son is now completing Yr 2 (the end of the Villa) and heading off to Dulwich College. The other destinations from his year are Dulwich Prep London, JAPS, one to a private school out of the area, and others to state schools. We've been really well supported through that process.

The staff are great and my kids are happy, and that is the main thing!!!

J-Mo