30 Years Experience
The Little Learners Montessori
Quality Care and Montessori Education in North-West London
The Little Learners Montessori is a family run business of four Montessori Nurseries across north-west London; Watford, Cricklewood, Northwood & Wembley. We’re dedicated to nurturing and developing the early years sector, ensuring that the children within our settings receive the best possible start to life.
We provide high quality early years education and care for children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years of age and believe fully in the ethos of Montessori education, as it offers an exceptional level of care and respect for young children.
We understand that making the right choice for your child is one of the hardest decisions you can make as a parent. After all, the nursery you put your trust into and form that partnership with are responsible for working alongside you to educate and care for your child.
Parent Partnership
Here, at The Little Learners, this partnership is what we pride ourselves in. After 30 years of experience, we have worked with thousands of parents to deliver the highest quality care and education to suit their individual needs.
We do this through regular observations, in-depth lesson plans based on the childs unique interests and of course make learning a fun experience in which they can develop to their full potential.
Our team are experts in providing professionally planned curriculum, that is aimed at developing your child in all areas of their education, preparing them not just for school but for later life.
Our Philosophy
“At The Little Learners Montessori, we believe the early years are fundamental for shaping a child’s future. Following Maria Montessori’s philosophy, we combine Montessori alongside the EYFS to develop independence, curiosity, and a love for learning!
Our approach prepares children not only socially and emotionally but also academically, equipping them with the skills and resilience needed for later life. We partner closely with parents, recognising their role as key influencers in their child’s development journey.”
Our Mission
“The Little Learners strive in creating a safe, secure and stimulating environment in which each child has the opportunity to develop their full potential”
Our Philosophy
“At The Little Learners Montessori, we believe the early years are fundamental for shaping a child’s future.”
Holistic Development
Combining Montessori and EYFS to foster independence, curiosity, and a love for learning.
Comprehensive Preparation
Equipping children socially, emotionally, and academically with skills for resilience and future success.
Strong Partnerships
Collaborating closely with parents, recognizing their vital role in their child's development.
Our History
Explore The Little Learners’ 30-year journey, where a deep passion for childcare and a commitment to high-quality education have shaped our unique approach, inspiring a lifetime love for learning!
A Leap of Faith
- Meet Teresa, a dedicated mother of three, whose journey into childcare began with her own children, James (8) and Jenna (6). Driven by a deep passion for understanding how children learn and develop, Teresa graduated with distinction from Montessori Centre International, earning her Montessori Diploma.
- Upon researching local nurseries, Teresa identified a gap in high-quality Montessori education and care within her community. Motivated by this discovery, she took a leap of faith and founded The Little Learners in Wembley Park, offering an exceptional learning environment that quickly earned a waiting list.
- Despite the challenges of running a new business and welcoming her third child, Justin, Teresa's commitment to providing the highest quality Montessori education never changed. Her story is not just about building a nursery, but about creating a nurturing space for the past 30 years, where children can thrive, making The Little Learners a trusted choice for parents.
Popular Demand
- Sixteen years later, The Little Learners had become a well-known name in the community, celebrated for providing high-quality education and care.
- Teresa recognised a growing demand for term-time places for children accessing the (NEG) National Educational Grant for 3- and 4-year-olds.
- Understanding the struggles of working families seeking affordable childcare, she decided it was time to expand.
- Teresa’s daughter Jenna was inspired by her commitment to the local community and decided to support her by opening their sister branch, The Little Learners in Wembley.
Growing Together
- With a strong ambition to expand the business, Teresa’s oldest son James joined, bringing his property expertise.
- With Jenna’s commitment to high-quality education and James’ expertise in property, they worked together to acquire a local community building in Cricklewood.
- Together, they acquired and transformed a local community building in Cricklewood into a 45-place Montessori nursery.
A New Adventure Begins
- After the successful launch in Cricklewood, the commitment to providing high-quality Montessori education and care continued.
- The next project was to transform an old playgroup centre next to the local library.
- Following nine months of complete refurbishment, our Northwood setting was born. This location featured our first baby room for children aged 6 to 18 months.
A Leap Forward
- In 2016, we saw potential in a disused doctor’s surgery.
- After nearly a year of building works and decorating, we opened our Watford Nursery in January 2017, catering to children aged 6 months to 5 years.
- Our Company headquarters is located in our Watford Nursery, serving as the operational hub for all our locations.
Shaping the Future of Early Years
- Unsatisfied with the quality of apprenticeship providers for the staff at The Little Learners, Jenna opened our Training Academy in 2022 to shape the future of early years education.
- The Montessori Apprentice Academy, located next door to our Watford Nursery, was established to offer industry-recognised apprenticeships, Montessori courses, and diplomas throughout the UK.
- We now offer Montessori Accreditation to nurseries nationwide, helping them incorporate the Montessori ethos, train their teams, and meet criteria for the MAA stamp of approval.
The Year of Awards
- In celebration of our 30 years providing high-quality care and education, we entered the NMT Day Nursery Awards for the first time.
- We were honoured to be finalists in both the ‘Small Nursery Group of the Year’ and ‘Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year’ categories.
- Additionally, we proudly won the 'Best Nursery Event Award' at the Day Nursery Owners Awards for our annual Professional Development Day.
- To cap off this milestone year, we celebrated with our team by awarding plaques and certificates at our Christmas Party, recognising our team for their commitment to us and the incredible work they provide to the children within our care.
A Leap of Faith
- Meet Teresa, a young mother with two children, James (8) and Jenna (6).
- Passionate about childcare, Teresa graduated with distinction from Montessori Centre International.
- She noticed a gap in high-quality Montessori education within her community.
- Teresa decided to turn her dream into reality by setting up a Montessori Nursery.
- The Wembley Park setting opened later that year with a waiting list in the community.
- Teresa managed the business while pregnant with her third child, Justin, who later joined The Little Learners.
Time to Expand
- Sixteen years later, The Little Learners was recognised for its high-quality education and care.
- Teresa noticed a demand for term-time childcare for children accessing the National Educational Grant for 3 & 4-year-olds.
- She decided to open a sister branch in Wembley to support working families struggling to find affordable childcare.
Growing Together
- Inspired by Teresa’s passion, her daughter Jenna and son James joined the family business.
- Jenna's commitment to education and James' expertise in property led to acquiring a community building in Cricklewood.
- After months of building work, the site was repurposed into a 45-place Montessori nursery.
A New Adventure Begins
- Following the success in Cricklewood, the commitment to high-quality Montessori education continued.
- After 9 months of refurbishment, the Northwood setting was born.
- This was the first setting to open a baby room for children aged 6–18 months.
A Leap Forward
- In 2015, a development site was transformed from the old ‘Cassio Doctors Surgery’ into a new nursery.
- After nearly a year of building works and decorating, the Watford branch opened in January 2016, catering to children aged 6 months to 5 years.
Shaping the Future of Early Years
- Jenna opened the Training Academy in 2022 to ‘Shape the future of Early Years’ through CPD workshops.
- The Montessori Apprentice Academy (MAA) was created to train early years educators across the UK.
- MAA now provides Montessori Accreditation to nurseries, helping them incorporate the Montessori ethos and train their teams to meet the required standards.
The Year of Awards
- Entered the NMT Day Nursery Awards competition.
- Became finalists for Small Nursery Group of the Year & Apprenticeship Scheme of the Year awards.
- Won ‘Best Nursery Event Award’ for the annual Professional Development Day.
Our Family
Jenna Hamilton-Heward
Director
James Hamilton-Heward
Director
Justin Hamilton-Heward
Director