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Under the Willow Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(Jan 2022)
·
4.4(13 parent reviews) ·Under the Willow Nursery, 198a Croxted Road, LONDON, SE21 8NW · Southwark
Number of places
37 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jan 2022
Local authority
Southwark

About this day nursery

Under the Willow Nursery is a family-owned Montessori nursery school in London, offering full-time education for children aged 3 months to 5 years, 50 weeks a year. The nursery follows the Montessori method of education and strives to create a calm, caring, safe, and stimulating environment where children are nurtured, motivated, and eager to learn.

They are accredited by the Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board and incorporate Forest School trips into their weekly activities. The nursery provides nutritious meals cooked on-site and offers various extracurricular activities like baking, football, gardening, and music.

Located in Dulwich SE21, it is easily accessible by public transport, with Herne Hill railway station a ten-minute walk away.

Our ethos

Under the Willow Nursery is a family-owned Montessori nursery school that follows the Montessori method of education. They aim to create a calm, caring, safe, and stimulating environment for children aged 3 months to 5 years. They are accredited by the Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board and incorporate weekly Forest School trips.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled at Under the Willow Nursery and form very secure attachments with staff and peers. They benefit from well-resourced play areas, inside and outdoors, including forest school sessions. Children are eager to learn new skills and participate in activities tailored to their development needs and interests.

Montessori methodForest SchoolNutritious mealsFamily-ownedAccredited by Montessori Evaluation and Accreditation Board

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

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (7.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. available on request)

Food

Meals and snacks included, milk and water provided. Parents can bring packed meals on grant funded days.

Age range

3 months - 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Session types

Full day

Waitlist

Waiting List Fee: £30 (non-refundable)

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Under the Willow Nursery

Last inspected 6 January 2022

Safeguarding effective
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 happy and settled at Under the Willow Nursery and form very secure attachments with staff and peers. They benefit from well-resourced play areas, inside and outdoors, including forest school sessions. Children are eager to learn new skills and participate in activities tailored to their development needs and interests.

Inspector highlights

  • Managers and staff work together effectively to support and monitor children's progress and receive strong support through regular supervision and training.
  • Managers and staff share the same ethos of practice and reflect as a team to improve services for children.
  • Staff have adapted practices during the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing new settling-in procedures and expanded hygiene measures.
  • Staff know children well, regularly assess their achievements, and plan purposefully for their future learning.
  • Children benefit from age-appropriate resources and equipment, with thorough risk assessments and close monitoring by staff.

Areas to develop

  • 1rearrange the organisation between activities and mealtimes to avoid babies waiting too long between routines
  • 2provide consistent opportunities for all pre-school children to be independent
Inspection #10203184 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities benefit from staff's attentive approach to their personal needs.

Outdoor space

Children benefit from well-resourced play areas, inside and outdoors. They attend forest school sessions to learn about the natural world and personal safety.

Parent Reviews of Under the Willow Nursery

4.4
(13)
Harriet Evens
8 years ago

Under the willow has been the best nursery I have ever worked at. It is a lovely setting with a great team and management. I highly recommend this nursery for the best care and a fun, loving place for children. Unfortunately I had to leave as had to move of London to my home town in Southampton. The hard work and effort everyone puts in to make this nursery as good as can be for the children is amazing and has been a delight to be a part off. All the best and Thank you.

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Jo Mortimer
5 years ago

Both my children have attended Under the Willow and I would highly recommend it. Staff have been committed, caring, friendly and competent. The environment is lovely, calm and spacious with a good outdoor space (and of course a willow tree!). Excellent extras including football, gardening, cooking and music. One of my children has a complex medical condition and has significant developmental delay and additional needs. The nursery have been very inclusive and consultative in working with us to support his needs. They were proactive in leading on getting an EHCP for him, and staff work enthusiastically with external therapists to follow his support programmes. I was recommended this nursery by a friend and feel so grateful to have found them.

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Jess BHron
10 months ago

My daughter just graduated from UTW and misses it. When I asked her what her happy place was she said it was UTW and became sad that she will no longer be going there. She made wonderful friends not only in the kids but the teachers too. She often talks about the teachers, remembering what they taught her, what food they liked or disliked, and what their holiday plans were. UTW became part of the extended family and we are very grateful for the time she spent there. It takes a village... and UTW became ours. Thank you!

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Yulia Cherepanova
7 years ago

This is my second review. Second positive review. Several positive changes happen since the last review and I still think this is the hidden gem place. Nursery providing so many activities (football, cooking, yoga and music) including forest school! , fresh high quality food and books for home reading. I am not sure regarding the baby room as my son is 4. I like pedagogues and Mary, the director, is very helpful and friendly person genuinely loving king. My son happily run to nursery every day, i feel this is safe and fun place.

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Nikos Abi
4 years ago

Our daughter never had a day when she didn't want to go to nursery and we were all so happy with our experience of Under The Willow. During our time there, staff turnover seemed low, and morale very high - we were impressed with the management and communication. Food was wonderful (better than at home!), healthy and warming. Her key worker really took the time to find what made our daughter tick and there was always a happy, upbeat energy at drop-off and pick up. We miss it.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Under the Willow Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: April 2013

  • January 2022Good
  • May 2018Good
  • January 2014Good
  • April 2013Good

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