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Toad Hall Nursery School

Ofsted: Strong standard·
4.7(14 parent reviews)
·37 St. Marys Gardens, Kennington, London, SE11 4UF · Lambeth
Number of places
20 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
Nov 2025
Local authority
Lambeth

About this day nursery

Toad Hall Nursery School, established in 1985, is a 'Childcare on non-domestic premises' setting in London (SE11 4UF) for children aged 2-5 years. The nursery operates term-time only, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted on February 4, 2020, Toad Hall Nursery School prides itself on a child-centred curriculum, where staff attentively cater to each child's interests and needs, fostering essential life skills and rich vocabulary. The well-equipped rooms provide a diverse range of activities that promote strong friendships and exceptional behaviour.

The nursery provides robust support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through strong links with external agencies and the skilful use of sign language. Children who speak English as an additional language (EAL) quickly become confident communicators, supported by key persons with expert knowledge of their home languages and experiences.

The nursery adopts the Montessori approach to teaching and learning and offers children wonderful opportunities for creative exploration in the garden's mud kitchen.

What it's like

Toad Hall Nursery School provides an outstanding curriculum that places children at the centre of everything. Staff are highly attuned to children's interests and needs, ensuring they develop a plethora of life skills and acquire rich vocabulary. The well-equipped rooms offer an excellent range of activities, fostering secure friendships and exceptional behaviour.

Child-centred curriculumStrong parent partnershipsMontessori approachSkilled SEND supportRich vocabulary developmentExcellent outdoor play

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

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Key facts

Opening hours

8.30am to 4.30pm

Age range

Birth to 5 years

Term time / All Year

Term_time_only

Established

1985

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected Nov 2025

Headline: Strong standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
Strong standard
Expected standard
Needs attention
Urgent improvement

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementStrong standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
2 to 5
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Toad Hall Nursery School

Last inspected 21 November 2025 · Katerina Dorta

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Toad Hall Nursery School provides an outstanding curriculum that places children at the centre of everything. Staff are highly attuned to children's interests and needs, ensuring they develop a plethora of life skills and acquire rich vocabulary. The well-equipped rooms offer an excellent range of activities, fostering secure friendships and exceptional behaviour.

Inspector highlights

  • The leader has a very passionate vision for the children and sets high expectations with her team.
  • Children are extremely well prepared for future learning and school through everyday activities.
  • Children's voices are listened to, and they are involved in decision-making.
  • There is a robust key-person system in place.
  • Children have wonderful opportunities to creatively explore the resources available.
Inspection #10138080 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The staff have strong links with outside agencies. This means that children with special educational needs are securely supported. Staff skilfully use sign language for those children less able to verbally express themselves.

Outdoor space

Children have wonderful opportunities to creatively explore the resources available, such as the mud kitchen in the garden.

EAL / language support

Children who speak English as an additional language swiftly become confident communicators in both their home language and English. The key persons' expert knowledge of children's home experiences and language significantly enhances children's understanding and use of English.

Parent Reviews of Toad Hall Nursery School

4.7
(14)
Chloe Krog
2 months ago

We have had 2 kids attend Toadhall and I couldn’t recommend it enough. Vivien and all the teachers are incredibly intentional with each child. I always knew that my kids would be received with love, care, patience and joy. The teaching is outstanding, with the kids getting a wide breadth of knowledge across a range of topics. I learnt tons from my kids as they went through each topic! This is the only nursery in the area that I would whole heartedly recommend 👍

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Vivi Kala
10 months ago

We’re so grateful to Vivien and the entire team (Carolyn, Marie Luiza and Katie) at Toad Hall for the incredible kindness, care, and support they’ve shown both our boys. Their time at Toad Hall has been such an amazing journey, and we’ve truly appreciated the nurturing environment every step of the way. Vivien played a key role in helping prepare both boys for reception, giving them the confidence and skills they needed for the next stage. We’re especially thankful for the support provided around speech and language therapy, it made a real difference to each of them. We also love the artwork the boys bring home; it’s clear how much creativity is encouraged at Toad Hall, which is such an important and valuable skill. Thank you for everything!

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Катерина Александрова
a year ago

My son Demyan attended Toad Montessori Nursery for 1.5 years. He really enjoyed going to the nursery, even though it was a bit challenging at first. However, the teachers were very supportive and helped him adapt. The variety of art activities, crafts, and drawing projects kept him engaged, and Demyan would bring something new home every day! Each term introduced a new theme for exploration. The visits from the mounted police and firefighters are memories that Demyan will cherish for a lifetime, as will the wonderful and professional teachers he had. A special thanks to Vivien, Maria Luiza, Katie, and Carolyn.

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Sally36991
a year ago

An outstanding nursery which I would highly recommend. My son thoroughly enjoyed his time there, engaging with the well-planned projects introduced throughout the year. He loved all the creative activities and songs, making friends with other children and the teachers there. I feel that he was well-prepared for his transition into the reception year. You can also choose half days which was very helpful as I work part time. Sad to leave there! A big thank you to Vivien and her team I’m grateful for the time you took to teach and care for my son

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Rosalind Wall
a year ago

My son attended Toad Hall for 2 years and loved it. It is a wonderful small caring nursery where they really care about the children and help them grown and develop. My son's confidence and language really improved on starting. They offer an amazing range of experiences for the kids including fire engines visiting the site, enjoying being outside in the beautiful square, hatching chicks and watching caterpillars turn into butterflies. I ran out of space for all the brilliant art they helped him produce. He left fully ready for school and will really miss it.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Toad Hall Nursery School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Outstanding). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • March 2020Outstanding
  • February 2020Outstanding
  • February 2016Outstanding
  • January 2016Outstanding
  • June 2011Good
  • June 2011Good
  • December 2007Requires improvement
  • April 2005Good

Frequently asked about Toad Hall Nursery School

About the setting

Toad Hall Nursery School registered in 1985 and is situated in the London Borough of Lambeth. The nursery is open each weekday from 8.30am to 4.30pm, for 38 weeks of the year. The provider receives funding to offer free early education for children aged two, three and four years. The provider employs four members of staff, one of whom holds qualified teacher status. The nursery adopts the Montessori approach to teaching and learning.

URN
144720
Registered person
Rees, Vivien
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Outstanding

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more