Choosing a nursery is a huge decision for any parent. Whether seeking childcare or focusing on socialisation and development, every parent wants the very best for their child. Quintessentially Education (that’s us) has supported families for years in making informed early years decisions. We asked Alexandra Bradley, one of our early years consultants and the inaugural Headmistress of Miss Daisy’s Knightsbridge, to share her top tips on the London nursery school scene.
Nurseries typically fall into one of two categories: 1) day care, which is primarily childcare and often accepts babies from as young as three months, and 2) nursery schools, which usually accept children from around two years old and place a greater focus on learning and development, gently preparing them for formal schooling. This article focuses on nursery schools.
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What makes a great nursery?
Choosing the right London nursery is a significant decision for any family, and understanding what distinguishes an exceptional early years setting can make all the difference. Quintessentially Education guides parents through this process, helping them identify nurseries that offer the highest standards of care and education.
Safeguarding and pastoral care
A great nursery puts children’s wellbeing at its centre, with experienced staff and strong staff-child ratios – a minimum of 1:3 for under twos and 1:5 for two-year-olds – so parents can feel confident their child receives attentive, personalised care.
Curriculum
Nurseries follow different educational approaches, from EYFS to Montessori, each with its own philosophy and benefits. As consultants, we help parents understand the nuances and navigate these options, so they can make informed choices aligned with their values and their child’s developmental needs.
Facilities
High-quality nurseries provide stimulating environments with ample space, and outdoor areas are especially valuable – giving young children room to explore, get fresh air, and burn off energy in a safe and engaging setting.
Breadth of offering
Increasingly, London nurseries provide bilingual programmes or specialist modern foreign language teachers, appealing to international families and those keen to introduce languages early. Specialist teachers in music, dance, and other disciplines further enrich the curriculum, giving children a more varied and inspiring nursery experience.
Combined with ensuring ‘best fit’ for your family ethos and wider needs, these criteria – pastoral excellence, thoughtful curricula, well-designed facilities, and enriching extras – are at the heart of what we look for when supporting families in choosing the very best nursery for their child.
Examples of highly regarded nurseries
Tadpoles Nursery School
Best for: play-based learning.
With over 40 years’ experience and a Montessori-trained founder, your little one will love hopping over to Tadpoles' forest school – planting flowers and veggies, cooking in the mud kitchen, and exploring the small pond full of wildlife. Registration is first-come, first-served from birth.
Chelsea and Kensington | tadpolesnursery.com
Young England Kindergarten
Best for: traditional learning.
Founded in the ‘60s, this family-run nursery has a Pimlico site and a recently opened Bayswater location. It combines traditional and contemporary learning styles and maintains strong links with next-stage schools. Insider tip: register early (and ideally in person) to secure your child’s place.
Pimlico and Bayswater | youngenglandkindergarten.co.uk
Miss Daisy’s Nursery
Best for: extra-curricular activities.
This traditional nursery sparks a love of learning and fosters self-learners. Both sites offer a range of enriching extra-curricular activities (the Hyde Park site has a secret garden with a grass-covered tunnel and the Belgravia location features an indoor castle and slide). Families can register online.
Belgravia, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Hyde Park, and Brook Green | missdaisysnursery.com
DUCKS, Dulwich Prep
Best for: academic results.
As the nursery of Dulwich College, DUCKS consistently exceeds national average results and prepares children for 7+ assessments. The nursery runs swimmingly, with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, with classrooms opening onto outdoor spaces. Top tip: book a visit to register.
Dulwich and Southwark | dulwich.org.uk
Thomas’s Battersea Kindergarten
Best for: individualised learning.
Thomas’s Battersea Kindergarten lets little ones learn and progress at their own pace whilst fostering enquiring minds. In September 2026, the nursery will move to the same site as Thomas’s Battersea, ensuring a seamless transition to Reception. Families can register online.
Battersea and Wandsworth | thomas-s.co.uk
Hampstead Hill School
Best for: term-time-only learning.
Known locally as a warm home-from-home with outstanding academic results, Hampstead Hill Nursery offers the best of both worlds. A word of warning: the nursery is about to move to a term-time-only model. Register only early to secure a place.
Hampstead and Camden | hampsteadhillschool.co.uk
Top nursery areas in London
London offers a wealth of excellent nursery options. Some of the most popular areas include South Kensington, Chelsea, and Notting Hill, with other strong locations such as Battersea, Hampstead, and Fulham. These areas are especially favoured by relocating families, and the quality of the nursery school provision often influences where young families choose to live.
Admissions advice
Each nursery has its own admissions process, so planning ahead is essential. Generally, it’s best to register with 5–6 nurseries as early as possible after birth – some even allow pre-birth registration – and to visit in person well in advance.
Before registering, attend open days to meet practioners and the Head. If needed, request early waitlist placement and indicate whether you prefer morning, afternoon, or full-day sessions. On visits, be enthusiastic and engaged, and pay attention to:
Happy children
Clean, safe, well-maintained rooms and outdoor areas
Qualified, friendly staff and their interactions with children
Clear communication with parents
A positive overall atmosphere that feels, warming, welcoming, and well-organised
If links to future schools are important, choose nurseries accordingly and ask what support is provided for transitions and applications – nursery choice can affect school readiness and 4+ assessment results. Maintain good communication with the registrar, express your favourites as your first choice, and check in politely.
How Quintessentially Education can help
Quintessentially Education offers personalised one-to-one consultancy, helping families assess, select, and apply for the best nurseries with confidence. With extensive expertise and a global client base, we support families relocating to London and guide them through an often overwhelming early-years landscape. Get in touch with our team to make confident, informed decisions about your child’s early years education.
Overall, choosing the right nursery is a vital first step in a child’s educational journey. With no one-size-fits-all solution, the ‘best’ choice depends on each family’s values, priorities, and long-term goals. With Quintessentially Education’s expert guidance, parents can navigate options with confidence, ensuring their child begins their education in an environment where they’ll thrive.
FAQs
Q: When should my child start nursery?
A: There is no single ‘right’ age, as this depends on family circumstances and individual children. Day care settings often accept children from as young as 3 months, primarily supporting childcare needs. Nursery schools, by contrast, typically welcome children from around 2-2.5 years old, with a greater emphasis on social development, routine, and early learning in preparation for formal schooling.
Q: When should we register for a nursery place?
A: In short, the earlier the better. Many London nurseries encourage families to register shortly after a child is born, and some even acceptpre-birth registrations. We generally advise families to register as close to the birth date as possible, particularly for highly sought-after nurseries, to maximise choice and reduce pressure later on.
Q: Do nursery schools hold entrance assessments?
A: Most nursery schools do not conduct entrance assessments. Instead, they invite parents (and often children) for a visit or tour to get to know the family and share more about their ethos and approach. Places are typically offered on a first-come, first-served basis, which is why early registration and timely follow-up are so important.
Q: Why is it important to visit nursery schools in person?
A: While websites and prospectuses are helpful, there is no substitute for an in-person visit. Visiting allows parents to get a genuine sense of a nursery’s ethos, environment, and atmosphere, observe how staff interact with children, and assess whether it feels like the right fit for their family. Trusting your instincts during visits is an important part of the decision-making process.
Q: Who can I speak to for guidance on nursery applications?
A: Navigating nursery school options and admissions processes can feel overwhelming, especially in London. Our team at Quintessentially Education offers personalised guidance, helping families identify suitable nurseries, manage registrations, and approach applications with confidence. Get in touch with our education consultants to receive tailored support at every stage of the process.
