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Little Elves Montessori

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2022)
·
4.6(14 Google reviews) ·St Edward's Catholic Primary School, Lisson Grove, London, NW1 6UH · Westminster
Number of places
30 places
Age range
1–3 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2022
Local authority
Westminster

About this early years setting

Little Elves Montessori Nursery, established in 2009, offers a nurturing and stimulating environment in Marylebone Village, focused on the Montessori method where children learn through play. The nursery aims to develop confidence, independence, self-esteem, self-discipline, and social skills in each child.

With experienced and motivated teachers, Little Elves provides a high-quality learning experience, supporting children to make good progress in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), including those learning English as an additional language. The nursery prides itself on a strong family ethos, creating a home-from-home feel and valuing each child as unique.

They prioritise building secure and trusting relationships with children and their families, celebrating diversity, and promoting high standards of behaviour. The nursery welcomes children from 15 months, provided they can walk confidently, and offers both full-time and part-time places with a minimum of three sessions per week.

They provide snacks and encourage parents to supply lunch boxes for full-day attendees, adhering to a strict no-nut and no-chocolate policy. Parents are also asked to provide a water bottle for their child.

Our ethos

Little Elves Montessori follows the Montessori method, focusing on developing children's confidence, independence, self-esteem, self-discipline, and social skills through play. They foster a strong family ethos and a home-from-home feel, valuing each child's uniqueness and building secure relationships with families. The nursery also supports children's progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

What it's like

Children are warmly welcomed to the setting. The home-from-home ethos of the setting helps children to feel safe and secure, which enhances their ability to learn and explore. The manager and staff have a strong focus on developing and valuing the whole child, and this helps children to build their confidence and self-esteem.

Montessori methodFamily ethosLearning through playOfsted-rated good

Pricing & funding

Fees are charged on a termly basis, varying by age group, booked days, and normal or extended hours. Fees must be paid in full before the start of each term. The nursery does not participate in government funding schemes.

Good to know

  • Non-refundable registration fee applies.
  • Fees are payable in full before the start of each term.
  • No refunds or reductions for absences due to holidays or illness.
  • Does not participate in government or Local Authority grant schemes.
  • Ad hoc sessions may be booked depending on availability.

Key facts

Food

Snacks provided, parents provide packed lunches (no nuts/chocolate)

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 5.30pm

Age range

15 months onwards

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Full Day, Morning Only, Afternoon Only

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Elves Montessori

Last inspected 14 September 2022

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 warmly welcomed to the setting. The home-from-home ethos of the setting helps children to feel safe and secure, which enhances their ability to learn and explore. The manager and staff have a strong focus on developing and valuing the whole child, and this helps children to build their confidence and self-esteem.

Inspector highlights

  • The broad curriculum supports children to learn across all areas of their development.
  • Children demonstrate a love of stories and songs, and there is a strong focus on communication and language skills.
  • Children's independence is fostered well within the nurturing setting.
  • The manager has adjusted ways of working to enable the staff to spend more time with the children and less time on paperwork.
  • Children are well cared for and treated with respect by the accommodating staff.

Areas to develop

  • 1ensure that all staff have a secure understanding of the curriculum intent and that implementation is consistently of the highest quality
  • 2review the curriculum for literacy in order to ensure that it is age-appropriate and helpful for when children start school.
Inspection #10194519 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak highly of the caring and kind staff.

Parents proudly report that their children sometimes teach them about other people's religions and traditions that they have learned about at nursery.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.

Google Reviews of Little Elves Montessori

4.6
(14 Google reviews)
L D
6 months ago

Little Elves Montessori Nursery will always hold a very special place in my heart. Both of my daughters went there, and the love and care the staff showed them was truly extraordinary. From the very first day, the owners and the team welcomed them as if they were part of their own family, with so much warmth and kindness. Every member of the staff is kind, patient, and deeply devoted to the children. You can feel their passion in everything they do, creating a joyful, nurturing environment. My daughters weren’t just cared for, they were understood, encouraged, and genuinely loved. I honestly can’t speak highly enough about the wonderful people at Little Elves. I am so grateful for the amazing team who gave my girls such a beautiful, loving start. Their kindness and dedication will stay with us forever. We are so grateful to have been part of the Little Elves family.

Read on Google
Samuel St.Bernard
5 months ago

We can't say enough good things about Little Elves. Everyone on the team is incredibly nurturing and kind. Our daughter has thrived there; it has been a wonderful place for her to learn and grow. As an LGBTQ ex-pat family, finding a school or nursery for our daughter when we were new to the city was important to us, and Little Elves has exceeded our expectations and has been such a positive part of our lives. Carla and the team have truly created a community of parents and children that we are thankful for.

Read on Google
AM
6 months ago

Wonderful nursery! This is my son’s third year here, and we already know we’ll truly miss it when he leaves for school. Miss Carla, Miss Rasha, and the whole team are so caring, loving, and genuinely dedicated to every child. The environment is safe and warm, with a lovely, secure outside area. We’ve been so impressed with how they support early learning. We couldn’t be happier!

Read on Google
Daniela Albin
6 months ago

The best decision we’ve made for our children was sending them to this nursery. Miss Carla and her team are the most loving kind warm and thoughtful humans. I couldn't imagine better educators for my children. They LOVED going in every morning and never wanted to leave!! I cant recommend this place enough!

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Martin Bercetche
2 years ago

We have been lucky enough to send our two little kids to Little Elves for almost 3 years now and as our time in London draws to an end, I cannot thank Miss Carla and the rest of the Little Elves staff enough for 3 wonderful years. The dedication and love that everyone at the school showed our children will never be forgotten and I HIGHLY recommend Little Elves to anyone in the West London Area. Our two kids have gone to school every day with a large smile and come home with an even bigger smile! Our 3yr daughter has already been placed in a great big kid school thanks to Little Elves! Carla and Team, thank you once again so much for all your hard work and love. We will dearly miss Little Elves!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Little Elves Montessori. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: September 2022

  • October 2022Good
  • September 2022Good

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