Where are you located?
Unity Montessori nursery is conveniently located in a no through, private road in North London, very near Woodside Park tube station: 1a Budd Close, N12 8SQ. It is about a five minute walk between the station and our setting.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday, from 8:45 AM to 3:00 PM.
Why is Unity Montessori not open after 3:00PM?
Unity Montessori is a “pack-away” nursery, meaning the prepared environment that children find every morning, both inside and outside, is set up on the day, every day. After last child is picked up in the afternoon, everything must be packed away again. The setting that Unity operates is multi-purpose, that is, it is used by others (Scouts groups) after our operation finishes.
Is Unity Montessori open all year?
No. Please visit our calendar page for details.
Does Unity Montessori cater for under 2 year olds?
No. Unity Montessori’s registration with OFSTED allows only for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years of age.
Do you have a brochure, promotional material?
Yes. Our brochure contains information about opening hours, sessions, calendar, ethos, extra curricular activities, fees, etc., and can be found in this link.
Does Unity Montessori participate in the 15 hour government scheme?
Yes. This scheme is available from the term after the child’s third birthday. Details of this and requirements can be discussed during visit. We only offer a limited amount of places for the 15 free hours scheme for 2 years old of working parents (new scheme started 1 April 2024). These places are allocated on a first come first served basis, and we only offer these places in the afternoon, unless the child attends on a full-time basis.
Does Unity Montessori participate in the 30 hour government scheme?
No. Like all private nurseries, Unity Montessori has inescapable overheads (rent, service charges, staff, materials, insurance, etc.) that make it impossible to operate on the rate for the 30 hour scheme established by the government.
Does Unity Montessori participate in any other government-funded / led scheme?
Yes. Unity Montessori accepts Childcare vouchers. We are also registered as a tax-free childcare provider. Details of these can be provided prior to registration.
How much are your fees?
See current fees in this link.
Can fees be paid monthly?
In exceptional circumstances Unity may allow for fees to be paid monthly by direct debit.
How can I register?
Registration forms can be downloaded from our registration page.
When are visits available?
To organize visits during school hours (mornings), please do contact us. Visits normally take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
What qualifications Unity Montessori staff have?
Please visit our About page.
Has OFSTED visited Unity Montessori?
Yes, the first inspection took place 19 June 2019, resulting in a Good Provider report.
How is the settling-in process handled?
In our experience throughout the COVID years, most children at the age of two have only been with their parents and immediate relatives (siblings, grandparents). Given these very close and deep connections, we coordinate with parents and encourage them to be present from the start of the settling-in process, to avoid unnecessary stress for the child at all costs, and to allow a gentle separation from parents/carers. The time that it takes for us to gain the child’s trust varies. Equally, it is particular to each child to become accustomed to us and other children. Parents generally take turns during settling-in, their presence decreasing over time, as the child gains confidence in the new surroundings. We have seen children that are ready to say goodbye at the gate after 3 sessions, while others take a bit longer. This is a perfectly fine demonstration of each child’s individuality.
How is the progress of children assessed / recorded?
Unity Montessori uses My Montessori Child, an extremely thorough system that allows us to keep detailed records of children’s learning and progress. Upon enrolment parents are given exclusive access to be kept informed of individual teaching plans, activities, reports and all aspects related to their child. The system also allows parents to write comments about activities that their children enjoy doing at home, new skills, or interests. It is a convenient way to build strong communication and partnerships between school and home life. The system allows for secure communications between parents and us.
Is there a method parents can use to track activities?
My Montessori Child provides a window into every aspect of a child’s individual learning journey at Unity Montessori. It contains observations, pictures, videos and reports, which can be safely downloaded at the touch of a button.
How does Unity Montessori maintain parents informed?
See previous question. In addition, Unity Montessori organizes parent-key teacher meetings every term, for every child enrolled. Equally, ad hoc meetings can be arranged throughout the term whenever required. Every week or so we sent a newsletter to all parents with information about activities / themes of the week.
What’s the role of the key teacher?
Upon enrolment every child is assigned a key teacher. The role is all-encompassing in the sense that learning and activities are based on Maria Montessori’s ethos around the child’s abilities, age, stage and needs, and planned accordingly. It is akin to one to one teaching, whereby the key teacher designs bespoke action plans, writes observations and maintains detailed records of progress (which can be seen in My Montessori Child or discussed with parents at depth). Although each child is assigned to a key teacher, all the teachers in the setting work with every child.
Will my child have a specific teacher to work with him/her?
Yes. See previous question.
Will my child be learning letters and numbers?
Yes. Phonics are sensitively introduced. It is paramount to us to first support and strengthen children’s language and communication skills, which are the basis for reading a writing at a later stage. The concept of numbers are introduced through songs, games and a variety of activities laid out in the setting.
What teacher-child ratio does Unity Montessori have?
Unity Montessori observes requirements established in the Statutory Framework of the Department of Education (DoE) for 2-year old children: one member of staff for every 5 children. For children aged 3 or over, the DoE stipulates one teacher for every 8 children. In either case, Unity Montessori has a much better ratio than the one stipulated by DoE. In every session we have at least 3, and often 4, members of staff. This is the reason why we can provide such attention to every child.
Does Unity Montessori provide meals?
Snacks are provided by the nursery. This consists of a variety of healthy snacks, such as fruits, bread (if the children are baking that day), and milk. Children are always encouraged to prepare snacks, which in itself is an activity very much enjoyed. Lunches must be prepared at home and we can reheat at the nursery if required.
What do we mean by free-flow environment?
In the Montessori ethos, children should decide where they want to play (indoors or outdoors). Both environments are carefully prepared with materials and activities. This new found freedom of choice, or free flow, without minimum adult guidance or intervention, helps affirm their independence, character and concentration. It underpins children’s learning as they are free to work with activities of their own choice.
What does it mean freedom of choice within the classroom?
The Montessori classroom is also known as the prepared environment. It is prepared in Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural sections with furniture, books, materials, and objects that stimulate the child’s attention. Each child is free to choose what area and activities with which to engage. This happens with minimum adult guidance or intervention. It also helps affirm children’s independence and concentration as they are free to work with activities of their own choice.
If you have any other questions, please use form below to send us a message.