Montessori accredited Nov 2014 to Dec 2017. Reaccredited May 2018 to June 2023.
"We believe education is important... we believe language, the command of numbers and social behaviour are important... but more than anything, we believe your children should be happy and confident and enjoy every moment of their time at nursery school."
Beckett House Montessori is an 'Outstanding' rated, and Montessori 'MEAB' accredited, family run preschool. It is a calm and comfortable environment, where ages 2¼ to 5 play together in one room that is divided into the different Montessori areas, such as: language and math, art, etc. Children are free to choose their Montessori activities, with support from specialist staff. Care is child centered, and our attentive teachers have stayed here for years. Key workers especially relate to their assigned children. We work in partnership with parents, meeting once per term, and speaking throughout. Our hours are flexible, with extra curricular activities included in the fee.
Not so much a school...
More a home-from-home where your children learn
The focus of Beckett House Nursery School is to provide the best possible environment for the children who attend.
The nursery offers Montessori education in a very calm, safe, warm, home from home environment, where children
aged between two and a quarter to five years play and learn together.
Through continuous observations and a tailored approach, we strive to meet each child's needs
with emphasis on hands-on independent learning.
This encourages children's natural curiosity and helps them to learn by doing things for themselves and with other children.
In addition to the Montessori philosophy we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) The principles underlying the EYFS are ones with which Montessori teachers are familiar and which they enthusiastically endorse.
Beckett House Montessori Nursery School has been established to give young pre-school children a very sound introduction to education. We believe that it is important for your child to spend this transitional period in a 'home from home' environment where the staff are experienced, friendly and responsible and the school safe, warm and welcoming.
Individual attention
Children are welcomed from the age of two and a quarter. Much time will be spent initially in accommodating the children and their individual needs while carefully introducing them to the concept of 'school' with its classroom layout, educational materials and daily routines.
A love for learning creates confidence in their own abilities
The curriculum is varied and follows the Montessori philosophy. The children are encouraged at all times to experience, to experiment and above all to develop a love for learning. The high ratio of staff to children, on average one to six, allows much one-to-one encouragement and guidance and ensures that the children are offered the best opportunity to find faith in themselves and to reach their full potential. The school also offers dance, music, drama, yoga and sport as part of the extracurricular activities, all of which, are included in the fees.
Home-cooked food
Lunch is home-cooked, prepared from fresh ingredients in our own kitchen. All meals are nutritionally balanced and varied and we can accommodate most dietary needs. The school will not provide sugar, sweets or crisps. Fresh and dried fruit, milk and low-sugar biscuits, will be given at snack time.
A Brief History
Beckett House is a Montessori Nursery School situated in Barnsbury, in Islington, North London, N1.
We opened in January 1996 since when we have established ourselves as one of the most popular nursery schools in the area with a somewhat esoteric appeal; with most of our current children being here due to recommendations from previous parents.
Its director, Gillian Ladd, joined in 1998 and was appointed director in 1999.
The head teacher, Pamela Harries, joined in 2000; she and the core members of staff are Montessori qualified and those with other qualifications offer the advantages of their own particular training within the guidance of the head.
Parents maintain it is its ‘home from home’ nature that sets Beckett House apart from other nurseries.
Learning is a key ingredient in its philosophy but so is care, nurturing, discipline, parental involvement, family values and an encouragement to embrace the world and all its wonders.
Many children move on to some of the best schools in London and since 2006 some of its first ever children have been coming back for their work experience; tall, clever and just amazing!
Testimonials
Daily Timetable
Morning
8:30am
Arrival time for all-day children
8:30 to 11:30am
Montessori and Circle Time
8.30- 11.30am
Free-flow snack time
As the school does not have its own playground or large garden, every effort is made to visit the local Islington parks as often as possible (such as: Lonsdale Square and Barnard Park). Most of these have play areas that are protected by wardens. The staff to child ratio is increased to one to two for these excursions to ensure each child's maximum safety.
11.30am
Circle time or group activity
Topical (seasonal or project work)
Extra Curricular classes-
dance, music, drama, yoga, or sport.
12.30pm
Lunch
1.15pm
Collection time for morning children
1:15 - 2:00pm
Rest time for all day children
The school provides mattresses, pillows and blankets.
Daily Timetable
Afternoon
2.15pm
Arrival time for afternoon children
2.15- 4pm
Montessori and Circle Time
2.15- 4.30pm
Free-flow snack time
4.30pm
Music & Story Time
4.30pm
Physical activity:
Music & Movement, Song & Dance or Climbing Frame.
5pm
Collection time for afternoon children
5.30pm
Collection time for all day children
Beckett House reserves the right to alter timetables without notice.
Term Dates
Autumn Term
Wednesday 7th September to Thursday 15th December
Spring Term
Wednesday 5th January to Thursday 7th April
Summer Term
Wednesday 20th April to Friday 12th August
Opening Hours and Fees
All fees include extra-curricular activities and there are no extra costs
Flexibility: Choose any number and configuration of morning and afternoon sessions.
Discounts: Eligible children receive discounts under the government's tax free or tax credit childcare and voucher schemes, and Nursery Education Grant Scheme (NEG). The Nursery Education Grant Scheme gives a discount for 38 weeks per year and is applicable to all children whose third birthday fell in the previous term. There is nothing parents need to do; Beckett House make all the arrangements and whatever money we receive for each child we deduct from your fee request. Additionally, and depending on personal circumstances, this scheme has been extended both to 30 hours per week and to two year old children. However, for both these categories, parents will need to make an application to the local council. Apply for tax free childcare through the government website.
Invoices are issued per half term.
Places are reserved once a £75 registration fee is paid, plus a deposit equal to four week's fees.
If you wish to cancel your place, please let us know one term in advance.
Please note: Once your deposit is received the fees pertaining at that time will remain the same for the length of time your child is at Beckett House and apart from exceptional circumstances (which has only happened once in the last 25 years) the hourly rate you pay will not increase. So it makes sense to pay your deposit, which is refundable, as soon as possible in case there is a subsequent increase in the hourly rate.
Full day
8.30am- 5.30pm
£77.00 per day
£385.00 per week
All-day places will include morning and afternoon snacks and a cooked lunch.
Morning
9am- 1.15pm
£46.75
Morning sessions will include snack and a cooked lunch.
Afternoon
2.15pm- 5pm
£30.25
Afternoon sessions will include a light snack.
Beckett House reserves the right to alter fees without notice.
Arrange to meet us
Contact: 98 Richmond Avenue, Barnsbury,
Islington, London, N1 0LL.
We are conveniently situated near to: Upper Street, Caledonian Road and Angel.