The 30 Best Early childhood development programs in London

“My 3 year old son looks forward to his Playball class each week. The structured lessons have helped to develop his listening and turn taking skills. I have seen huge improvements in his throwing, catching, jumping and running skills. Coach Grant is wonderful! He is so patient with the children. I would highly recommend this class to any 3-4 year olds.”

“Top nursery. The staff and in particular, the management are amazing. So patient with the children and my son settled in really quickly. Highly recommend!”

“Great nursery, amazing staff who go the extra mile. Highly recommend! You won’t find a better nursery”

“Incredibly day care. Friendly, caring and trustworthy. Laura has built a small but real community with the kids and the families. Best thing we've ever found!”

“a good area for kids I love it and it's welcoming I recommended you coming here”

“Love this nursery. I fully trust my child is safe and cared for and learning well in this environment. They go on lots of outings too to parks, libraries, museums, the tate gallery round the corner. Lots of the teachers are doing degrees and other qualifications at the moment which makes me trust the quality.”

“My name is Sonia. My son name is Anso Sikder. My son studies in this school in nursery 2nd class. I enrolled my son in this school when he was two and a half years old. Every staff member in the school is very caring and everyone's behavior is also very nice. They teach the children everything very carefully. I am very happy to send my child to this school. Thank you everyone.”

“When I came back to London, I wanted to get experience in a UK school. Dwight gave me the opportunity. Friendly staff, safety, small sized classes, students behave well and excellent support for SEN students.”

“My son attended the Child Development Centre after we had exhausted all other avenues through the NHS and essentially got nowhere. I am not disparaging the NHS, I think they are marvellous but they do not have the time or resources to fully help our children the way they need help in these circumstances. We had the Centre recommended to us and it has really changed our lives. The relief that someone was finally making sense of our son's behaviour and difficulties that he was having was immense. He would jump and scream at unexpected noises, he would hate any labels in clothes, he would zoom around the house causing mayhem (not deliberately, quite the opposite he was very happy), but we did fear he had ADHD. He was like Tigger from Winnie the Poo, bouncing around everywhere! His concentration was very poor, he was very silly and immature for his age, he wasn't able to sit and watch a DVD, read a book or play with one toy or game for any period of time, he would get bored very easily and be off to play with another toy or game. From a very young age he would have obsessions - firstly the Fire Service and he would not anywhere unless in a full fireman's uniform with a utility belt, he was 4 yrs old at this stage and then it changed to the Police (5yrs old) and then the Army (8yrs old) with each obsession taking over all of our lives in one way or another. One fact we did find interesting was that Dyspraxia often gets misdiagnosed as ADHD. He was diagnosed as having Dyspraxia traits and audio dyslexia. We received a very detailed report which made so much sense in terms of why he was behaving the way he was, but more importantly we started the programme that would definitely change all of our lives for the better. The programme is not a quick fix solution. You need to be dedicated and understand there will be times when it is frustrating and it seems you are making no progress then other times when it accelerate and the changes are amazing. Most people comment that he is like a different boy now and he really is. Once we were able to get rid of the reflexes he had retained the changes became really noticeable. He is so much calmer now, he can concentrate - he reads so many books now which we are delighted at! The screaming when he's startled has stopped and he's even more tolerant to labels! In the beginning we did the on-line checklist on the website and ticked far too many! However, I would highly recommend doing this as it give you a really good idea on whether there is a problem there that needs solving. My husband and I had the conversation about the cost of the treatment and I remember him saying 'this could be the best money we've ever spent' and he was absolutely right, it was. I would highly recommend going for an initial assessment to find out all about it. We originally met David and then Alex continued all of the appointments and treatments with our son. He is excellent with children, very professional with a firm but easy-going manner. If you decide to do it, follow all of the instructions, they really do know what they are talking about and you will get better results by following them to the letter. The programmes are medication free which I loved, this is a totally natural way to help your child be the best they can be!”

“Five stars really aren't enough. I knew exactly what i was looking for when searching for childcare for my son, I have found that at Kidz village.When I drop my son off I have peace of mind and know he is well cared for. It really is a second home. The food provided is great quality, my son gladly has extra portions. Activies are varied and provide great learning experiences. Communication with the owner has been seamless, from my initial enquiries when registering to updates on my sons progress. All staff are polite and well informed and give great advice. I couldn't ask for anymore! Thank you Kidz Village!”

“Absolutely love Little Kits - the girls who run it are just totally wonderful too! I always get so many compliments from other parents on the hire stuff whenever I have it at my children’s parties. It means I don’t have to buy extra crockery, picnic rugs, cushions etc, and find somewhere to store it all, just for parties - or worse, buy disposable stuff! Such a great company, highly highly recommend them!”

“Rico has done a fantastic job working with us as parents and more importantly, delivered a birthday party that the kids really enjoyed. The flow was smooth and ‘Dino Rico’ has been able to hold the kids attention nicely. They all left the party with great smile especially our son - thank you for making him feel so special :)”

“Rise is an amazing nursery.We would sincerely like to thank all the staff at rise who helped our daughter progress through each stage at the nursery.The atmosphere is wonderful and the staff and teachers are very caring.Our daughter has left the nursery more confident and this has helped her integrate smoothly in reception when she started school this September. The food is excellent.My daughter had a wonderful time and created lovely memories and friends.A big thank you once again -would highly recommend RISE to one and all.”

“Little Acorns Montessori School - A Haven for Independent and Curious Learners Our experience with Little Acorns Montessori School has been a transformative journey, especially for our two sons. This nursery isn't just a place for learning; it's a vibrant, nurturing environment that embodies the essence of Montessori education. The school's commitment to the Montessori principles is evident in every aspect, significantly impacting our children's development. Both our sons have shown remarkable progress in academic areas such as writing, phonics, and numeracy. However, what truly sets Little Acorns apart is how it has nurtured them into becoming independent and curious learners. This transformation is a clear testament to the effectiveness of the Montessori method practiced at the school. The school offers a range of activities beyond the traditional curriculum, including dancing and French lessons, which our sons absolutely love. These activities not only supplement their learning but also cater to their diverse interests, fostering a joyous and holistic educational experience. The atmosphere at Little Acorns is akin to a warm, welcoming family. This sense of community and belonging, fostered by the dedicated staff, makes the school a true home away from home for our children. In summary, Little Acorns Montessori School stands out as an exemplary institution for parents who value not only academic excellence but also the overall development of their children. Our sons' growth into independent and curious learners is a direct reflection of the nurturing, Montessori-centered environment that Little Acorns provides. We wholeheartedly recommend this school to any parent seeking a comprehensive, caring, and enriching educational experience for their children.”

“We’re very happy with the nursery The staff are kind, caring, and professional, and we’ve seen great improvement in his behavior, communication, and confidence. The place is always safe, and they have fun, educational activities. Thank you for everything!”

“Absolutely fantastic nursery, the staff is so friendly and always going for the extra mile for the kids and for parents! I see the staff all absolutely love their job and I couldn't be any happier! My son is still attending there and absolutely loving the Football (and other sports) on Wednesdays! His language skills and knowledge of the letters and numbers have significantly increased! Best nursery ever! Keep up the amazing work! Well done!”

“Living in Notting Hill, you’re spoiled for choice of nurseries. I toured every one and my decision was easy. Being in Ladbroke Square Montessori feels like a warm hug. You can literally feel the joy exuding from the place. The children are engaged and thoughtful and most importantly thrilled to be there. The school truly puts children first. Offering every child a morning spot is a perfect example of this since most children are still napping when they start nursery. The lovely garden in the back and weekly visits to the gorgeous Ladbroke Square are two amazing perks. My daughter is actually disappointed on weekends because she is not going to nursery. She’s learned key skills and is set up for success to have a smooth transition to reception. I have made lifelong friends there as well as my children. I have now sent 2 children to nursery at Ladbroke Square. Best decision I ever made. It’s such a special place.”

“Les Chatons is simply a wonderful nursery -- we couldn't ask for a better place to send our 3 year old. She has been attending Les Chatons for over a year and in that time has developed in so many aspects, not least in her grasp of French and Spanish. Our daughter absolutely loves the wonderful teachers and her time there, so much so that she has asked me to increase the number of days that she attends. Marie-Laurence impressed us from our first meeting with her when we were looking at different nurseries. She clearly has a deep knowledge of early education and has done an amazing job at combining skills development with a warm, caring and fun environment that allows plenty of space for kids to be kids. Les Chatons also stands apart in how flexible they are in accommodating different schedules and how well they communicate with us as parents, both on a daily basis and with termly progress reports and meetings. I cannot say enough good things about Les Chatons -- we, and importantly, our daughter, absolutely love the nursery and staff and will be very sad to move on! Thank you Marie-Laurence and all the Les Chatons staff!”

“My daughter is just leaving this place to a full time placement. I can’t thank you enough for the year and a half my daughter has been here. Nayyar her key worker was the best, always giving us a snippet of her day but how happy she is to go there and the stories I hear from her afterwards is satisfaction enough. Thank you to everyone who is a part of this place will defo recommend and if my wife lets us have another child will defo see you again!”

“Amazing nursery to say the least. Staff very attentive, caring and really care about the development of the children definitely a home away from home experience for both my children who attended”

“Sad that my little one is leaving to go to big school, my daughter loved coming here, they taught her so much and is definitely ready for school and have done so well getting her ready for school. Some of the things my daughter has learnt is amazing! The staff work hard, all the staff are so lovely and the manager is so passionate about every child being her little treasure. The difference between other nurseries and this nursery is that Michelle (manager) does not see the nursery as a ‘business’ but a home where she treats all the families and children like her own and is very supportive. Thank you little treasures and to all you special staff who looked after my daughter… we will be back and pop by for visits ❤️”

“Both of my children attend Stepping Stones Nursery in Hillingdon and absolutely love it. The staff are warm, caring, and really dedicated. My kids are learning so much and always come home happy. We get regular updates through the app and during parents’ meetings, which helps us stay involved. Highly recommend!”