Under the Willow opened in 2012 in a superb leafy setting, in the heart of a family neighbourhood in the Dulwich Herne Hill area. In 2018 we made the exciting decision to become a Montessori nursery. Opening times: Monday to Friday 7.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. 51 weeks a year ex public holidays. We are located in a purpose built eco friendly building, specially designed to provide a welcoming, caring and stimulating environment.
We have lots of outdoor space surrounded by trees and nature, where children enjoy play all year round. In 2018 we re-equipped the nursery with a wide range of Montessori materials to bring the very best educational experience to every child. We hold information evenings for the parents here to keep them informed about Montessori and any relevant changes.
We have lots of outdoor space surrounded by trees and nature, where children enjoy play all year round. In 2018 we re-equipped the nursery with a wide range of Montessori materials to bring the very best educational experience to every child. We hold information evenings for the parents here to keep them informed about Montessori and any relevant changes.
Services
We have a high ratio of Degree qualified teachers and practitioners on our team. We actively promote CPD (Continuing Professional Development), tracking and documenting the skills, knowledge and experience that our practitioners gain both formally and informally, beyond any initial training.
We follow the Montessori ethos, promoting respect for the child and valuing the development of the whole child-considering the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.We promote freedom to discover within a very structured environment. Every day, as well as the Montessori work cycle, the children are offered messy play and art activities with a wide range of media.
We follow the Montessori ethos, promoting respect for the child and valuing the development of the whole child-considering the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs.We promote freedom to discover within a very structured environment. Every day, as well as the Montessori work cycle, the children are offered messy play and art activities with a wide range of media.
Food is key to our health, and when you trust us to feed your child we take that trust very seriously. We promote organic and fair trade, and choose to avoid refined sugars and processed foods. We have cut down on the amount of grain we offer children. We can meet most dietary requirements, and are also happy to support your vegan, vegetarian or gluten free preferences.
In 2017 we installed a nursery software system giving our parents regular updates and pictures of their child, which can be read at a time convenient to them. We have two parent evenings a year. We hold regular Parent Forums, Information Evenings, send Newsletters every fortnight and we have an open door policy.
If you are interested in registering your child at Under the Willow, you should definitely book a visit to meet us. During your visit you will have plenty of opportunity to meet the Head of Nursery and the room staff, see how other children are enjoying their day with us, and ask all those important questions.
We regularly hold workshops and seminars for parents and teachers interested in finding out more. In the noughties the then UK government agreed to fund several Montessori state primaries, and even now the grants for two and three year olds can be used in Montessori nurseries.
The Montessori primaries that exist now in the UK are primarily fee paying, but in the US and elsewhere there are also free schools and charitable trusts offering Montessori education.Well we dont always use the word teacher, but director, facilitator or guide, because we guide a child towards independence.
The Montessori primaries that exist now in the UK are primarily fee paying, but in the US and elsewhere there are also free schools and charitable trusts offering Montessori education.Well we dont always use the word teacher, but director, facilitator or guide, because we guide a child towards independence.
Reviews (10)
Nikos Abi
Sep 10, 2021
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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.
Jo Mortimer
Jan 05, 2021
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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
Charlotte Luykx
Dec 26, 2020
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First of all I was never asked to put any review on here but I felt I wanted to share my experience about Under the Willow as when I was looking to confirm a place for my LO I couldn’t find much information/feedback. I got a place offered in another “outstanding” nursery which is very close to UTW and supposedly “the best” nursery group in the area however I followed my instinct and chose to take up the offer in UTW as first of all the nursery was recommended by a friend who had their child there and second I had a better feeling with the staff there, it wasn’t an easy choice as you
Ruth Mead-Wellings
Oct 13, 2020
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We have been part of the under the willow community for the past two years. Our daughter attended from 2-4 years old and our son from 1-2 years old. Both children have thrived at nursery. The staff are caring and professional early childhood and Montessori teachers. They focus on the development of the ‘whole child’ and it is clear that it is a happy place for both staff and children. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Under The Willow nursery.
Philip Bradley
Sep 08, 2020
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Dan Browne
Aug 23, 2020
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Maria Teresa Herrera Abreu
Jan 31, 2020
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The way they manage babies and parents is not professional, I do not recommend this nursery, and they are very expensive. Unfortunately I had to take my 10-month-old son out of this nursery because they were not providing the care that he needs. I felt my son was discriminated for not being able to crawl. He needed support while learning to walk that the nursery was not willing to provide. One day they told me that he cried for 2 hours, and when we showed concern and make suggestion for his adaptation, the manager was not very supportive and it was quite rude by email and in person. I had a really
Yulia Cherepanova
Jul 08, 2019
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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.
Yulia Cherepanova
Jan 14, 2019
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Harriet Evens
Jan 10, 2018
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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.
