Taking its name from its original location in the heart of Blackheath village, The Village Montessori moved to the Kingswood Halls in the mid 1980s.

It has always been a sessional nursery, with children attending five sessions a week, either in the morning or afternoon, during term time only, once they are rising three years old.

The current proprietor, Melanie Simpson, took over the nursery in January 2000 with another member of staff when the previous owner retired. Taking on sole proprietorship in 2003, Melanie works as a full-time teacher alongside three other members of staff. It has always been nursery policy to engage only staff who are fully qualified Montessorians and to have a staff to child ratio of 1:6, which is greater than the legal requirement. 

The setting offers teaching practice placements to no more than three part-time Montessori students and all members of staff are involved in their mentoring. We work closely with Montessori Centre International for training and providing practical guidance/lecturing. Several past parents have gone on to take the Montessori teaching qualification as a result of their children attending The Village Montessori.

The outdoor environment is particularly valued at the nursery. Melanie has overseen significant change in the outside area, working with the Woodland Trust to establish a traditional hedge, which provides a variety of habitats for insect and bird life. The children plant and maintain the vegetable beds and we do not use chemical fertilisers or pesticides. The artificial turf was laid in July 2013.

The nursery is committed to its role as a centre for the local community. Many children attend from the immediate vicinity but also from neighbouring boroughs.

In 2016 The Village Montessori was awarded its fourth consecutive ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.