MCK
Lovely school! Great place for your child to become the best version of themselves. There’s a lot of opportunity as a parent to get involved. Great knowledgeable team of teachers. Couldn’t have chosen a better place for our son.
RE
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.
JD
I can’t express how happy we are as parents to have found Walthamstow Montessori School. It is such a caring environment where all the staff, from teachers, to assistant teachers, to administration, love and care for each and every child. It feels like our son (and ourselves as a matter of consequence!) found a second family, where all the staff know him so well and deeply care. The place feels like a little oasis of peace and quiet, where Montessori principles are applied with respect for each child.
Though being in the middle of a pandemic, the school never gave up and was quick at organising a range of tools to move online, with daily meaningful lessons, helping children to stay connected with each other and the school.
Being back on school premises feels safe as everyone is truly taking all the precautions to create a COVID safe environment.
I would definitely recommend the school and its quiet and creative environment to any prospective parent!
GD
Both of my children attend WMS. They truly enjoy going to school and have developed a natural curiosity for learning that is wonderful to see. The materials and techniques employed to educate have been very succesful in giving my children a deep understanding of the subject matter. WMS is a great school!
AS
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.
PS
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.
VW
Thank you for running such an amazing school and being so responsive to our needs. It’s clear that lot of effort goes in behind the scenes to make this such a positive place. The school felt right from our first visit and Children’s House is an inspiration. We really feel that our child couldn’t have been in a better environment. We will absolutely miss WMS! Thank you.
CW
Staff genuinely care, the biggest factor when exploring nursery options. All teachers have been warm and attentive, which made settling in for my daughter a doddle. She loves the variety of activities including the weekly ‘out and about’ exploration.
Our second most important factor when considering nurseries was how calm the environment was. Peaceful yet industrious, with choice and flexibility of both guided and independent activities was crucial as our daughter had not been in any other kind of daycare until she started at WMS (2 months off 3 years old) and had been visibly overwhelmed during visits to other nurseries.
We enjoy reading the weekly newsletters to find out what our daughter has been up to as she rarely tells us and look forward to events throughout the academic calendar such as Christmas and summer concerts, sports day, carol services. Not forgetting the ‘birthday walk’, a beautiful marker to celebrate being another year older.
EF
It was such an honour to have experienced your beloved school in action. I think you probably realised that we both were completely overwhelmed with how beautifully harmonious we found it.
The entire space was bursting with love and happiness and calm play. It was truly like nothing we’ve ever seen. We have researched Montessori techniques a lot but hearing it from you and learning so much more in little time of the true version and seeing it in action was so eye opening.
Thank you for your energy and precious time.
We came out like we’d just been let in to the biggest and best secret ever (not that it should be) we feel so fortunate to have found you.
RL
My daughter has attended WMS since she was two and is now almost four. It has been such a brilliant and rich time for her there. She amazes me with her knowledge that she garners daily from the various activities both in the classroom and in the garden. She is so happy to go there and has such a confidence and a love of the place because her teachers have been so incredibly attentive and nurturing.
During lockdown the efforts that the whole staff made to stay open and safe were epic and brave. Daily it was a logistic nightmare but they kept endeavouring to remain open so that the children could remain in their brilliant social and learning environment. I have felt so grateful to WMS in these early years in the knowledge that my daughter is in a space where she can draw, paint and express herself with the encouragement of her teachers. It has been a very precious time and perfect school for us.
AQ
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!
HBT
Our son has attended WMS since he was 2yrs old.. he is now 7yrs. He has excelled from strength to strength as a person & academically. The near on 1:1 education he has received from nursery to his current prep class is a rare experience for a child to receive & blossom in.
WMS is caring, extremely supportive to each child & family’s needs. The teachers, many of whom have been there since our son started, are without a doubt true professionals with hearts of gold.
The staff are all of an extreme high level in their professional abilities, experience & duty of care. The principal is so driven by her strong ethics at giving the children the best start in life by way of the Montessori method, and the school is a true reflection of her years of hard work & dedication.
Our son continues to go from strength to strength, & we are proud to say he’s a WMS student… 1st class.
JS
Lovely dedicated teachers and other staff, great space. Our daughter loves it!
DC
Lovely teachers who genuinely care about the children.
ME
My daughter spent her nursery years at WMS. She had a brilliant time there, and I always thought the school had a fantastic energy about it. The activities varied each day – painting, making, stories and music – and the learning is absolutely embedded in play. You can’t ask for a better start than that, and I feel very fortunate that our daughter began her education in such a wonderfully nurturing school.
F & S
This is a heartfelt email to all the staff at Walthamstow Montessori School from 2016-2024.
We have had the honour and privilege of being part of an amazing school for almost a decade. We can sincerely say that it has felt like an extension of our family.
We have made amazing friends throughout our journey here.
We had four children under the age of five – it’s true what they say that it takes a village!
The school has been nothing short of amazing. All of our children received admission to WMS as their 2nd birthday present!
We have watched our four children grow through learning and play. They have great discipline and character in them.
Reflecting on nearly a decade at Walthamstow Montessori School, there are countless cherished memories.
A few highlights:
- First Day Excitement: The nervous energy and excitement of the first day, seeing our children step into their classrooms with wide-eyed wonder.
- Seasonal Celebrations: The joy of seasonal events like the plays and concerts! community came together in celebration. My personal favourite is the sports day where every year everyone’s a winner!
- Art and Craft Projects: Watching our children’s creativity blossom through various art and craft projects, proudly bringing home their masterpieces.
- Outdoor Adventures: The fun and learning that happened during outdoor playtime and nature walks, fostering a love for the environment. Catching bugs at Lloyds parks and sporting various creatures!
- Graduation Ceremonies: The bittersweet moments of graduation ceremonies, marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, filled with pride and a few tears.
- Parent-Teacher Interactions: The warm and supportive interactions with teachers and staff, who always went above and beyond to ensure our children’s growth and happiness.
- Friendships Formed: The lifelong friendships our children made, and the bonds we formed with other parents, creating a strong sense of community.
We feel sad not to be a part of WMS anymore, but you have provided the stepping stone for our little ones to grow. Having passed various exams between the 4+ and 7+, they are now at Bancrofts School and Forest School and hopefully will do as well there as they have here!
Keep up the amazing work and contribution you make to the local families!
A heart full of gratitude and love!
EC
My son really enjoys being at the Nursery and now Kindergarten. The teachers have all been so kind and attentive and it is a wonderful, kind learning environment.
NN
I just wanted to send you a huge thank you for all you did for my child last year – I am so thrilled to say that she started reception with confidence and pure excitement! When I think back to how nervous she was entering WMS for the first time, I have noticed a huge change in her. Starting reception, she went straight into the classroom and eagerly took part in all of the activities. I definitely feel like her time at WMS has set her up for success, so thank you to all of you, and I hope you have a fantastic year ahead.
RM
We have loved our time at WMS. Both our children have grown from the care, and well thought out provision, they have experienced at the nursery. It is fantastic that our children can experience Montessori practice whilst they attend the school. This has influenced how we parent our two children, focusing on helping them to foster their independence. We have loved the teachers, support staff and leaders of the nursery, who nurture and care for our children and always find ways to keep in touch by sharing anecdotes day to day and through the carefully planned parent meetings the school hold. The community amongst parents and carers within the school is also precious and unique. It feels like a close, warm and friendly community to be a part of. We cherish the time our children have spent at WMS.
KM
We are delighted with WMS!
EL
My son and daughter went to Walthamstow Montessori School from the age of two. We wanted our children to be in a nurturing, safe environment and we found it here. We always found the teachers to be very enthusiastic, encouraging the children to choose the sequence of their activities throughout the day.
CC
Honestly everybody at WMS have been incredible, always going the extra mile to help and make us & the kids feel comfortable. We appreciate you guys!
VC
We have loved every minute at the school and will send our next son there. We only have fantastic things to say about the school and really it has given our child confidence, friendships, knowledge, independence and so much more.
SW
Both of my daughters attend WMS and both of them love school! The environment is warm and nurturing and the staff are all attentive and understanding to the both the children’s and parent’s needs.
We need more schools like this so that every child could experience this special approach to learning enabling them to develop into well rounded, confident and inquisitive little people.
