Hummingbirds Montessori School 293 Park Road, Kingston Upon Thames KT2 5LY

"My daughter loves this nursery and she is genuinely excited to start her mornings with her fantastic teachers. She is having such a wonderful time, and really thinks Hummingbirds is a magical place where everything is possible. In the last couple of weeks she has asked to go to the moon in a rocket and play in the snow (it’s was a sunny Spring day), and they made it happen! The team at Hummingbirds Montessori School are always truly caring and very accessible. I would fully recommend them to anybody looking for an outstanding nursery. As a bonus, the garden and outside areas are quite special. It is a blessing to have my daughter start her schooling here."

"I knew this was the place I wanted my daughter to be since I walked through the door and had a conversation with Miss Amy. Hummingbirds is not only a nursery it is a family with a strong community feel and great communication between the teachers and parents. My daughter has flourished there and became a confident and independent person. The staff is highly professional, consistent and caring. They do everything with such a passion. They will always have a special place in my heart."

"Hummingbirds is a heavenly, peaceful, and natural nursery for children to grow and thrive in. I find the colours so relaxing and nurturing and am astounded by the plethora of sensory play stations. I cannot wait for my son to attend this nursery. The owners are so warm and genuine and their passion for children is evident. I know here my son will experience plenty of time in nature and expound on his curiosity in an educational way under the eyes of committed teachers. I haven't seen any other nursery come close in comparison. They've raised the bar truly."

"A wonderful nursery which my son attends. The setting/hall is amazing with a HUGE garden for the children to run around in. The teachers are extremely kind and clearly care a great deal about their children. My son settled in very quickly despite being shy and loves every minute of his time there."

"I had an initial telephone conversation back in June with Miss Amy, enquiring about places for September intake, visiting options and asked about their policy regarding slightly smaller children. I was told that, in the case of the child turning 30 months during the first term, based on an initial evaluation against the Montessori educational model, if the child is ready and engaged with the Montessori setting, they would be flexible about the age admission criteria, especially since they have quite a few available spaces. We then resumed mid August when I spent more than 30 min on the phone with Miss Amy telling her about the natural parenting model, our Montessori approach at home and the green life we are having - plastic free and also 100% cooking at home. I have told her about my son and from the sound of it she was keen in booking us for a tour, with the remark that the child will need evaluation against the above Montessori criteria and the decision is made by all 4 partners together. They knew all along that we are talking about September intake. Last night I have confirmed the visit and I was told to manage my expectations ref 30 month minimum age, but left thinking that the above criteria would still be taken into consideration. I have visited this morning and after a very brief tour of the nursery, whilst my son was engaging independently with the teacher and the materials, I have been told that, even though it is obvious that the child is familiar with the setting, confident and independent, they have decided to stick to their 30 month policy, especially as now they have a very high demand from children at age. They have stated that if they make an exception now (even though they were willing to do that exception 2 months ago), how will they motivate refusing a child of 30+ months old that is not ready for Montessori when they have accepted a 28 months old (ready or not). I have then challenged about their Montessori approach and how they assess children that are matching with the Montessori education vs not matching and how many of the children attending their nursery have been exposed to Montessori before. They have confirmed not only that the children are not familiar with, but also most of the parents too... So again, asked them why being a Montessori nursery, refusing an independent Montessori raised child, couple of month younger vs a 30+ clingy child, coming from a non Montessori environment. They again stated that due to high demand they are now sticking to their age policy, but more than happy to offer my son a place in January, when they add another 4-5 places, as they will take in a teacher assistant. So even though they knew I was looking for September only, they have tricked me in coming over to offer me a place in January. Even suggested to take him to another nursery for 3/4 months and then move him - what about the child's needs? For them it seems absolutely fine to settle a child into an environment, then just move him, as they will have free spaces. Wow! Miss Amy even used her below 2 yo son as a comparison and that even though he is ready he is not attending this nursery until April 2021. How can you compare an under 2 yo with a 27/28 mo (nearly at the minimum age). What I felt after my visit today is they don't necessarily assess children, but more business plans....it was alright for my slightly under aged son to attend when they did not fill up their spaces (if he was ready, which they confirmed he is), but not anymore since they have more enquiries than spaces... In their perspective, it is alright for my son to settle in another nursery and then moved in order to attend theirs starting from January, when they have 4/5 spaces to fill up, but not now, as they are having more demand as places.... double standard much? I am so glad that you refused him, as obviously you are not the right nursery for him. I prefer him being treated individually for who he is, not against some figures. And for his teachers to take into consideration his needs and abilities, not their bills."