Unity Montessori Nursery

Lin Tang

4 months ago

If you’re looking for a nursery that offers an authentic Montessori approach, Unity is the answer. I am passionate about Montessori way of learning. When we were visiting different nurseries for our boys, we noticed that many had “Montessori” in their name, but in reality it was only a small part of their activities. Very few truly and consistently follow the Montessori ethos in everything they do. Unity is one of those rare places. I’ve read the reviews left by other parents and completely agree with what they’ve shared. In addition to that, there are two things in particular that I feel Unity does especially well, even beyond what you would normally expect from a Montessori nursery. The first is their creative craft work. The activities are carefully thought through and prepared by Alex and her team, and they introduce children to nature, culture, aesthetics, techniques and a wide range of sustainable materials in a very natural way. Through simple but purposeful activities like cutting, drawing, sewing, threading, pasting and so on, the children develop fine motor skills, explore different textures, and use their imagination, all while genuinely enjoying what they’re doing. Our boys were always proud to bring their creations home. Pieces like candle holders, Christmas decorations, and self-portraits were so lovely that we still bring them out and display them during festive seasons. The second is the outdoor environment. Unity places real value on outdoor play and treats it as an extension of learning rather than just a break from the classroom. The outdoor space is thoughtfully planned and changes with the seasons, which keeps it interesting and engaging for the children. In spring, there are garden areas for planting, home for caterpillars, and picnic spots for meals and snacks. Summer brings water play with a “pool” or “beach” setup. In autumn, children collect fallen leaves using trays and brooms, and in winter they might enjoy a small campfire gathering or build snowmen. When the weather allows, the children also walk to the nearby park, where they continue exploring and discovering the natural world. This balance of indoor activities and outdoor experiences is something we really valued at Unity. Alex and her team are exceptional. Their dedication, warmth, and expertise have meant so much to our family, and I truly cannot thank them enough for the care and guidance they gave our boys. As parents, we were incredibly proud when Unity was awarded Outstanding in all areas by Ofsted last year, an achievement that is absolutely well-deserved.

Sam Sanghvi

5 months ago

Our daughter loved her time at Unity. The staff are caring, warm, compassionate and trustworthy. We felt she was safe and happy. Our daughter struggled to settle in at two different child care settings prior to starting at Unity, but within a few weeks she was happy and settled. She flourished in confidence as a result of the nuturing environment provided by the staff at Unity. She managed to do extremely well in private school assessments and moved onto Haberdashers Girls School. We highly recommend Unity to anyone considering a nursery.

hunisha patel

5 months ago

Unity is an exceptional nursery. I visited many nurseries in and around North London while searching for the right place for my son, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Unity. It is a true Montessori setting where every child is treated with kindness, respect, and genuine care. The team truly listen to the children and meet them exactly where they are. My son started as a shy and quite timid child, yet Unity embraced him for who he was and helped him grow into himself. Through their nurturing, patient approach, they fostered real confidence in him. It is genuinely a child-led environment where children are encouraged to flourish and become the best versions of themselves, all within a calm and supportive space. It is clear that Alex is deeply passionate about giving the children the best possible start to their education. Every Christmas she gifts the children something handmade by her mum, which says so much about the love and thought that goes into the nursery. Over the years they’ve taken the children to the local theatre, set out paddling pools in the summer so the little ones can splash and enjoy the sunshine, and in winter they’ve roasted sweetcorn around an outdoor fire while sipping hot chocolate. That’s on top of the rich indoor activities on offer – baking bread and cakes, learning Spanish, making and playing with salt dough, moulding with clay, knitting, and so much more. My son left Unity last summer and is now thriving in Reception. He had already covered much of what was taught in the first term at school thanks to the strong foundation he received at Unity (it certainly wasn’t coming from us at home!). More importantly, he loves learning. He’s curious, confident in asking questions, and happy to express his ideas – all a reflection of the way children explore and learn at Unity. I was genuinely sad when he left because it had been the most perfect first educational setting. I always felt he was safe, happy, and understood there. When I expressed how emotional I felt about the transition, Alex reassured me that he was ready for his next step. That meant so much and showed how the team care for us as parents as much as they care for the children. I cannot speak highly enough of Unity, and I’m so proud that both my son and now my daughter attend. Choosing Unity has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my children.

Ikumi Aoki

2 years ago

We especially recommend it to those who are looking for a small nursery school or have children who are unfamiliar with English! We came to the UK at the end of 2020 as expats from Japan. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, I had a hard time finding a kindergarten for my daughters, who were 2 and 3 years old at the time. I was interested in Montessori education and my kids had to start from scratch with their English skills, so I was looking for a small school. As we contacted them via email, they immediately set up a tour and trial session. It was heartwarming to see 2- to 4-year-olds spending time in the same space helping each other without being separated by age. The teachers at Unity were very kind and looked after my two daughters and us parents, who didn't know the area much, warmly. The Unity's friends and families are all wonderful people, and I can't believe how much they helped me! Before my youngest child was born, they supported my daughter's suggestion that she wanted to make a pillow for her, and they thought about how to make her idea come true and help her grow. Our girls spent two years surrounded by lots of love and moved on to primary school full of confidence. They really feel ““Play is the work of the child.” Unfortunately, because we moved from England, our youngest daughter was unable to attend Unity, but we would have loved to have her attend Unity if possible. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, activities outside the Unity seemed to be restricted for a while, but from 2022, the children have been walking to nearby parks and exploring nature! Parents also had the opportunity to participate in birthdays, graduation events, seasonal events, and various religious events, and it was great to see their children grow and see precious things we couldn't see at home. Cooking and water play were also my daughters' favorite activities. I pray for the continued success of my beloved Unity members! Let's meet again!

Devlin Thornicroft

a year ago

Our daughter has been with Unity for over 2 years. The level of support, not just for our daughter but us as first time parents has been phenomenal. In particular one teacher Alena, whose unwavering support and dedication to our child has set us and our daughter on a path that quite simply would not have been possible without her. Our gratitude for this can’t really be expressed properly here. But it’s this level of quality which sets this place apart. We wholeheartedly recommend this nursery for your child. Thank you to everyone at Unity.