We are excited to announce that The Little Learners Montessori has been named finalist in the following categories at the National NMT Nursery Awards:
- Parent Engagement Award
- Nursery Indoor Learning Environment of the Year (Cricklewood Branch)
- Nursery Manager of the Year (Cricklewood Branch)
This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to provide high-quality early childhood education and care, alongside our dedication to support our families through our strong parent partnership program.
Our Engaging Indoor Learning Environment
At The Little Learners Montessori in Cricklewood, our thoughtfully designed learning environment has been selected as a finalist for the Nursery Indoor Learning Environment of the Year award!
Key Features of Our Learning Environment:
- Natural Light and Adaptable Spaces: Our nursery rooms are filled with natural light, promoting a sense of calm and focus. Each space is adaptable, allowing children to freely move and engage in activities that suit their individual way of learning.
- Dedicated Learning Areas: From our cozy reading corner filled with age-appropriate books, to our hands-on science station with microscopes and experiments, we cater to various learning styles and interests.
- Montessori Materials: Tools like the Pink Tower, Number Rods, and Golden Beads allow children to explore math concepts, sensory development, and practical life skills.
- Sensory and Cultural Areas: Our children explore sensory activities through tools like Colour Tablets and Sound Cylinders, supporting cognitive growth. Our cultural section introduces children to geography, history, and arts from different civilisations, encouraging global awareness and an understanding of diverse cultures.
Our carefully designed environment promotes independence, self-confidence, and a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom. By using self-correcting Montessori materials, children are encouraged to learn through experience, building critical thinking skills without the need for direct adult intervention.
Please visit Our Montessori Ethos page for more information on our Montessori & EYFS curriculum, as well as to learn more about the benefits of Montessori Education on your child and what you can incorporate at home to further support their development.
Parent Engagement: A Vital Part of The Little Learners Philosophy
We’re equally proud to be finalists for the Parent Engagement Award, which highlights our consistent dedication to building strong relationships with families. We believe family involvement is key to every child’s success, and our frequent participation opportunities create a true sense of community within our Nurseries.
How We Engage with Families:
- Regular Events and Celebrations: We host events such as Pancake Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day, Grandparents’ Day, and seasonal celebrations like the Christmas Concert and Summer Fair. These gatherings allow families to be a part of their child’s nursery life, promoting stronger bonds between parents, children, and staff.
- Workshops and Training Sessions: We offer parent training workshops on essential topics like speech and language development and school transitions. These sessions empower parents to support their child’s growth at home.
- Famly App and Communication Tools: Through our parent communication app Famly, parents receive daily updates on their child’s progress, enabling them to be closely involved in their learning journey. Regular newsletters and reports also keep families informed and connected.
- Family Volunteers: We encourage families to participate in activities like school trips and reading sessions, promoting a shared educational experience.
- Home Learning Support: Optionalactivities and suggestions for home learning are provided to extend learning beyond the classroom and into family life.
Family involvement isn’t just encouraged—it’s embedded in Our Ethos. We believe that when caregivers, children, and educators come together, it creates the perfect environment for children to excel. To learn more about the parent involvement at The Little Learners, please visit our Happy Parents page.
Kirsty: Finalist for Nursery Manager of the Year (Small Groups & Independent Nurseries)
We’re also proud to announce that our Cricklewoodbranch manager, Kirsty, is a finalist for Nursery Manager of the Year! With over 14 years of experience in childcare (six of them at our nursery), Kirsty embodies leadership, care, and innovation in the Early Years industry.
Why Kirsty is a Stand-Out Leader:
- Experienced SENCO Professional: Kirsty is not only highly experienced but also qualified as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO), ensuring that children with diverse needs receive tailored support.
- Parental Relationships: Her passion for engaging families and making every parent feel valued is unmatched. Being a family run business, our managers take the time to personally interact with each family, ensuring they feel supported from the moment they join our nursery.
- Team Builder and Innovator: Kirsty creates a positive team environment by regularly acknowledging staff achievements, implementing recognition programs like Employee of the Month, and organising termly team outings. Her leadership encourages collaboration and motivates staff to deliver their best.
- Inclusive Curriculum: Kirsty ensures that our nursery environment reflects the rich diversity of our children. Through parent involvement, she includes cultural traditions and languages into the curriculum, making every child feel respected, heard and valued.
- Customised Support: At The Little Learners, we ask parents to complete an ‘All About Me’ form, helping us learn about each child’s unique interests, wants and needs. From settling-in sessions to language mapping forms that help us incorporate a child’s home language into our activities, Kirsty goes above and beyond to ensure each child’s transition into nursery is smooth and enjoyable.
Kirsty’s leadership and dedication ensures that both children and staff have the guidance and encouragement they need to thrive. Her role in driving The Little Learners’ success is a key reason for our nursery’s recognition at the NMT Awards.
This praise is echoed in our recent Ofsted report at ourCricklewood Nursery, which said “Leadership and management are outstanding. Staff are extremely proud to be a part of this exceptional nursery. They speak highly of the ‘hardworking and committed’ manager.”
Why Parents Choose The Little Learners Montessori?
With over 30 years of experience in delivering Montessori education and care, The Little Learners Montessori is committed to creating a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which each child has the opportunity to develop their full potential. Our Montessori ethos encourages children to become independent, confident learners who are prepared for lifelong success.
- Child-Led Learning: Our nursery environment is designed to allow children the freedom to explore and learn at their own pace, developing a natural love for learning that continues throughout their lives.
- Parental Involvement: By engaging families through events, workshops, and daily communication, we ensure a collaborative learning experience that benefits both children and parents.
- Experienced and Passionate Staff: Our highly skilled team, led by leaders like Kirsty, is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where every child feels valued.
Join Us on This Exciting Journey!
We invite you to visit our nursery and experience first-hand what makes The Little Learners Montessori a leading name in early years education. We have Montessori nurseries in Cricklewood, Wembley, Watfordand Northwood.
Start your child’s early learning journey today by scheduling a tour at one of our convenient nurseries.
