Genuine Montessori school for boys & girls 2–6 years | Founded 2001
Walthamstow Montessori School is a popular nursery and independent school for boys and girls aged 2–6 years. Established in northeast London since 2001, we use genuine Montessori and Forest Schooling methods in a broad and exciting curriculum. Our teachers have excellent experience in their subject areas and are passionate about their practice.
Montessori is an approach that focuses on the immense capacity of children to absorb information when given the freedom and independence to learn at their own pace. Forest Schooling is a child-led approach to learning, incorporating children’s right to play, to access the outdoor environment and to feel success. Our school combines these related methods for early education.
Makaton is a language programme designed to provide functional communication and encourage and develop language and literacy skills through the combined use of signs and symbols with speech. WMS is incorporating its use further in the classroom.
I think this is a great school. My daughter is in the Lower School and seems to be making rapid progress. She loves going and pretty much runs to get there each day. The staff are warm, welcoming and care about the children. There is a clear vision for the way in which she is taught and we are very fortunate to have this school so close.
We had visited 7 nurseries and nearly given up hope of finding one we liked, but within minutes of walking into Walthamstow Montessori School it was obvious that it was a world apart. At the other nurseries we had seen staff and children looking frazzled. However, at WMS the atmosphere was calm, warm and happy. The children were absorbed in their various activities with unusual and interesting equipment.
As we came to know the principal, Lorna Mahoney, we appreciated her as an outstanding and inspiring teacher. Our daughter spent two years at the WMS nursery before we moved from the area. We still visit and continue to admire the dedication, creativity and sheer hard work of all the WMS staff. The high quality of education at WMS is all the more surprising given its relatively low fees.
Our younger son attended a Montessori nursery near our new home, but it wasn’t as good as the Walthamstow Montessori. (Possibly because the other nursery was following only a few Montessori methods, whereas it’s a full Montessori approach at WMS.)
We have so many happy memories from WMS.
My shy two year old has blossomed at WMS. I can’t praise her nursery teachers enough, they are so nurturing. We had Zoom sessions during lockdown so we were able to keep connected with her class which was invaluable once we returned in person. It’s been a delight to watch her flourish here.
This is my daughter’s first experience of a teaching environment and she loves it. She was only 2 years old when she started but settled in very quickly and now looks forward to her time there. The teachers are so lovely and the overall experience has been great. I couldn’t recommend this nursery high enough. A real local treasure!