Food
Fresh fruit or alternative break-time snack for each child; hot lunches and fresh teas available as extras or parents can provide packed meals.
Lemon Tree Montessori
Ofsted: Good
(May 2024)
Number of places
60 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2024
Local authority
Croydon
About this day nursery
Lemon Tree Montessori, located in Sanderstead, South Croydon, provides a nurturing environment for children aged 1-5 years, operating Monday to Friday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The nursery is accredited by Montessori and follows the Montessori Method, complemented by a Forest School program with a qualified leader.
They prioritize healthy eating through the Early Years Nutrition Partnership, offering fresh fruit snacks daily. The curriculum is enriched with extra-curricular activities like tennis, music, and multisport, delivered by specialist coaches.
Lemon Tree Montessori maintains a lower staff-to-child ratio than the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) minimums, ensuring more individualized attention: 1:4 for 2-year-olds and 1:6 for 3-4 year-olds. They utilize the My Montessori Child Progress Tracking system, allowing parents to monitor their child's development.
The nursery is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and supportive learning experience, aiming to foster children's growth across all developmental areas, and encourages prospective parents to visit their facilities.
Our ethos
Lemon Tree Montessori follows the Montessori Method and incorporates a Forest School program. They are committed to individualised attention with lower staff-to-child ratios and utilize a specific progress tracking system to support children's holistic development.
What it's like
Children are safe, happy, and engaged in a broad curriculum with purposeful activities. They develop resilience by being encouraged to solve problems and lead their own play, while staff build strong relationships with each child.
Montessori MethodForest SchoolAccredited MontessoriLower staff-to-child ratiosEarly Years Nutrition Partnership
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Key facts
Waitlist
Waiting list often applies for fully funded 30-hour places.
Opening hours
Monday - Friday, 07:30 - 18:00
Age range
1-5 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Established
2006
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Lemon Tree Montessori
Last inspected 15 May 2024
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
What it's like to attend
Children are safe, happy, and engaged in a broad curriculum with purposeful activities. They develop resilience by being encouraged to solve problems and lead their own play, while staff build strong relationships with each child.
Inspector highlights
- Children are safe and happy, exploring purposeful activities that support their learning and development.
- Staff are positive role models, kind and gentle, teaching children respect and emotional awareness.
- Children enjoy a large, enclosed garden for physical activities and develop hand-eye coordination.
- Children discuss ideas, problem-solve together, and use language effectively to find solutions.
- The enthusiastic manager fosters strong relationships with staff, parents, and children, providing training opportunities and regular supervisions.
Areas to develop
- 1support staff to know how and when to engage children, so not to disrupt their play and concentration.
Inspection #10300839 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) feel safe to explore and become confident learners.
Outdoor space
Children enjoy playing in a large, enclosed garden full of activities that cover all areas of learning. Children have every opportunity to run, balance, jump and climb, practising hand-eye coordination with hoops and cones.
Inspection history
Improved from Requires improvement → Good in 2024
Date: October 2010
- May 2024Good
- June 2023Requires improvement
- December 2017Good
- November 2014Good
- October 2010Outstanding
Frequently asked about Lemon Tree Montessori
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