Victoria Road
FAQs – Gardens Montessori Victoria Road Nursery in KensingtonLooking to learn more about Victoria Road nursery in Kensington? Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions parents ask us about our Montessori nursery, services, programmes, and admissions process.
Q. How old does my child need to be to attend Gardens Montessori Victoria Road?
We welcome children aged 14 months to 5 years at our Victoria Road Montessori nursery in Kensington. Our mixed-age classroom supports learning through independence, exploration, and social interaction.
Q. What are your opening hours?
Our Victoria Road nursery operates from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. We offer a variety of flexible session options based on your child’s age and stage.
Q. What Montessori programmes do you offer at Victoria Road?
We offer a range of Montessori-based programmes, including:
- Breakfast Club (8.15 am to 9.00 am)
- Morning Sessions (9:00 am – 12:00 noon)
- Lunch Bunch (12:00 noon – 3:00 pm)
- Lunch Bunch Plus (12.00 noon – 5.00 pm)
- Afternoon Playgroup (3.00 pm – 4:30 pm)
- Weekly Forest School sessions
Learn more about our Curriculum and Workshops & Holiday Camps.
Q. Do you offer full-day care?
Yes, children can stay for a full day by combining morning sessions with Lunch Bunch and afternoon activities. This helps prepare them for the longer days of primary school.
Q. Where is Victoria Road Montessori located?
You’ll find us at:
Christ Church Kensington, Victoria Road, London W8 5RQ
The nursery is centrally located and easily accessible from Kensington High Street and South Kensington.
Q. What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve families in Kensington, South Kensington, Earl’s Court, Notting Hill, and surrounding West London neighbourhoods.
Q. How much do sessions cost at Victoria Road?
For a full breakdown, please visit our fees and admissions section or contact us directly for the latest pricing.
Q. How do I register my child at Gardens Montessori Victoria Road?
To register, complete our form via the website. We recommend you book a visit to see our Montessori setting in person. Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Q. Do you provide meals at the nursery?
Children bring their own healthy packed lunches (no nuts or pesto-based foods allowed). Breakfast can be provided in the Breakfast Club and snacks available throughout the day.
We can organise catering for individual children.
Q. What does a typical day at Victoria Road Montessori look like?
A typical day includes:
- Montessori learning using real-life materials
- Group-based activities like yoga, music, and sports
- Forest School
- Mealtimes with peers to build and develop social confidence
- Enrichment sessions such as French, Mandarin, and Drama
Visit our Curriculum page for more details.
Q. Do you follow the national Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework?
Yes, we integrate EYFS learning goals within our authentic Montessori approach, giving children the best of both worlds: structure and freedom.
Q. Are your staff Montessori-trained?
Yes. All educators at Victoria Road hold relevant Montessori qualifications and are experienced in early years development. Our founder, Chitra Kripalani, brings over 30 years of expertise.
Q. Do you offer workshops or holiday camps?
Yes. We host themed holiday camps and workshops during half-term and summer breaks. These sessions focus on mindfulness, creativity, and confidence-building.
Learn more on our Workshops & Camps page.
Q. Is there outdoor space at Victoria Road?
Yes. Children at Victoria Road enjoy a dedicated Forest School as well as:
- A garden with a mud kitchen, sandpit, and playhouse
- Outdoor art and nature-based play
- Physical activities to promote balance and coordination
Q. Is Gardens Montessori Ofsted-registered?
Yes. Our nursery is Ofsted-registered and has received Good and Outstanding ratings. You can view our inspection reports on the Ofsted website.
Q. Are there parent-child sessions available?
Yes, we offer Afternoon Playgroup sessions (3.00 pm – 4:30 pm), providing a wonderful introduction to Montessori for both parents and children.
Q. How is discipline managed at Victoria Road Montessori?
Our approach is based on respect, empathy, and self-regulation. Children are encouraged to resolve conflicts independently with gentle guidance from staff.
Q. Do you offer tours of the Victoria Road nursery?
Absolutely. We strongly encourage prospective parents to book a visit and meet our team. You’ll get to see our nurturing environment and ask any questions in person.
Q. How many children attend Gardens Montessori Victoria Road?
At our Victoria Road nursery, we accommodate up to 16 children in the morning session. The setting remains calm and purposeful, with children engaged in independent activities throughout the day. The smaller group size, combined with our authentic Montessori approach, ensures a peaceful atmosphere where each child can thrive. We also operate a free-flow access to our garden, allowing several children to play and learn outside at any one time, which helps maintain a relaxed, spacious feel within the classroom.
Q. Should my child start in the morning or afternoon session?
For our younger children under the age of three, we typically recommend beginning in the afternoon session. These sessions are intentionally quieter and more personal, with a lower child-to-adult ratio (around 1:3 or 1:4), compared to mornings. This gentle introduction helps children settle in, form secure relationships, and gain confidence in their new environment. Afternoon sessions provide a wonderful stepping stone before transitioning into the busier morning programme. Please let us know if you’d like further details about the benefits of this gradual approach.
Q. What if my child still naps in the afternoon?
It’s perfectly natural to be concerned about your child’s naptime when considering an afternoon place. However, most children adjust to the new schedule quickly. Families often adapt their routine by:
- Offering an earlier lunch around 11:00 am
- Starting the nap at 11:30 am, giving plenty of time to rest before the 1:30 pm session
- Opting for an earlier bedtime in the evening if the nap is slightly shorter than usual
In most cases, children adapt with ease—and the warm, cosy environment of our afternoon sessions at Victoria Road makes the transition a positive one for both children and parents.
Q. What makes Gardens Montessori Victoria Road different from other nurseries in Kensington?
- Authentic Montessori curriculum with Forest School access
- Calm, prepared learning environment designed for independence
- Enrichment activities beyond standard early years learning
- Community-focused nursery with deep ties to Kensington families
- Over 30 years of educational leadership under Chitra Kripalani
- Individually tailored learning to each child’s pace and personality
Still Have Questions?
We’re here to help.
Call us on 07939874086
Visit us at Christ Church Kensington, Victoria Road, London W8 5RQ
Email: gmontessori22@hotmail.com