Higham Hill
45 Manor Road, Walthamstow, E17 5RY- Ages
- 6 months to 5 years
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
- Funding
- 15 & 30 hours accepted

Unique Child is a Montessori day nursery in Higham Hill, Northolt and Stockwell for children aged 6 months to 5 years.

A unique foundation for confident, independent children
Unique Child is a Montessori day nursery in Higham Hill, Northolt and Stockwell for children aged 6 months to 5 years.
GoodEach of our nurseries shares the same warm ethos and high standards - just in your neighbourhood.














































Why Families Choose Us
Every day here is shaped around real choice, hands-on discovery outdoors, and a nursery community that feels like an extension of your own family.

Montessori education gives children real choice within a carefully prepared environment: hands-on materials, mixed-age rooms, and a teacher who guides rather than instructs. It's an approach built around independence and self-motivation, letting each child build the skills and confidence to become their own best teacher.

Children help grow and harvest real produce in our allotment, watch life cycles unfold, and take part in hands-on workshops that turn a question about the world into something they can actually see and do. It is learning that happens outside the classroom as much as in it.

Parents share the details that matter, sleep habits, comfort routines, what a family celebrates at home, and we build on them rather than starting from scratch each day. Cultural festivals and birthdays are marked as they come up, so children grow up hearing each other's stories as a normal part of nursery life.
We take settling in seriously, with gradual introductions, familiar faces, and as much time as your child needs to feel safe and happy.
Our approach to settling inParent reviews
For more than a decade, families across Higham Hill, Northolt and Stockwell have trusted us to care for their children from as young as six months until they’re ready to start school. Here’s what they have to say about their experience.
“Unique Child Montessori Nursery is, without doubt, one of the best nurseries in the area. A good teacher is hard to find, and we are incredibly grateful for all the care and support shown to our little one. Thank you for everything you do. The team is always willing to listen to my views and makes me feel that my opinions as a parent are genuinely valued.”
“Amazing, professional care, with stimulating activities thoughtfully shaped around each child’s interests. The Montessori approach gives children the freedom to explore, make their own choices and develop independence at their own pace, while the teachers observe closely and provide support whenever it is needed.”
“Unique Child Montessori Nursery is known for its commitment to supporting children and their families. The teachers are well qualified, friendly and approachable, helping to create a welcoming environment for both children and parents.”
Book a tour to walk through the rooms and outdoor spaces, meet the team, and see the prepared environment for yourself.
Book Your VisitEach room is set up for where your child is right now. Babies in Tulips explore natural materials like cotton, wool and wood, working at their own pace with a guide close by. By the time they reach Oakleys, preschoolers choose their own hands-on materials, building the independence they'll carry into school.
6 months to 2 yearsSensory exploration through natural and varied textures, and secure key-person attachments that let babies feel safe enough to explore.
2 to 3 yearsPhysical mastery and the language explosion, supported through echoing and visual timetables, as children move from parallel play to social cooperation.
3 to 5 yearsSchool readiness built through independence, sustained shared thinking, and real-world application of early literacy and maths.
Day in the life
For parents considering a nursery place
Everything you need to know before your child's first day. From what to pack to how the settling-in process works.
2
days per week
30 hrs funded
£0.00per month
~£0 per day
3
days per week
30 hrs funded
£284.28per month
~£22 per day
4
days per week
30 hrs funded
£656.04per month
~£39 per day
5
days per week
30 hrs funded
£931.32per month
~£44 per day
2
days per week
30 hrs funded
£0.00per month
~£0 per day
3
days per week
30 hrs funded
£284.28per month
~£22 per day
4
days per week
30 hrs funded
£656.04per month
~£39 per day
5
days per week
30 hrs funded
£931.32per month
~£44 per day
All prices are per child. Monthly fees are spread across 12 months.
Explore our fees, funding support and simple enrolment process
Things parents ask us
At Unique Child, Montessori is about much more than the equipment children use. Our Montessori educators carefully observe each child and introduce activities that match their interests and stage of development.
Children are given the time and freedom to explore without being rushed, helping them develop independence, concentration and confidence. This child-centred approach shapes everything from learning and play to daily routines and settling in.
We have three settings across London and Middlesex:
Higham Hill, in Walthamstow, is small and close-knit, with play rooms opening straight onto the garden.
Northolt occupies a former school house in a quiet residential road near Belvue Park.
Stockwell has a spacious hall with its own allotment and plenty room to explore.
Each nursery has its own character and facilities while sharing the same caring team ethos and Montessori approach. Explore the individual nursery pages to see photographs, opening hours, facilities and directions.
We welcome children from six months old to 5 years old when they start school. As children grow, they move through age-appropriate baby, toddler and preschool environments, with each transition guided by their development and individual readiness rather than age alone.
You can book a tour online here at your preferred nursery. During your visit, you’ll explore the nursery, meet the team and see how our Montessori approach works in practice. There will also be plenty of time to ask questions about your child, availability, fees and settling in.
Availability varies between our nurseries and age groups and can change throughout the year, so the most reliable answer comes from asking us directly. Tell us your child’s date of birth, preferred nursery, required days and ideal start date, and we’ll confirm exactly what is available and explain any waiting-list options. Get in touch or book a visit here.
Before your child starts, we’ll get to know them through a home visit, video call or phone call. This is followed by three gradual settling-in sessions: the first with you in the room, the second including around 20 minutes apart, and a slightly longer third visit to build their confidence. Every child settles differently, so we’re always happy to arrange extra sessions if needed. Their key person will continue to monitor how they’re doing and keep you updated once they start. You can see the process in more detail here.
The best first step is to book a tour - it gives you a chance to see the nursery, meet the team and ask any questions before committing to anything. Once you have visited and you are happy to go ahead, our online application form takes just a few minutes. We will be in touch shortly after to confirm availability and next steps.
Montessori prepares children for school by developing much more than academic skills. Through practical, hands-on activities, children learn to concentrate, solve problems, make choices and complete tasks independently. They also build communication, coordination and social skills, helping them become confident, curious learners who are ready to manage new routines, form relationships and take the next step into school.
Our meals are freshly prepared each day using nutritious ingredients. Children eat together, turning mealtimes into an opportunity to practise conversation, sharing and good table manners. We introduce them to dishes and flavours from a broad range of cultures, helping them become curious, confident eaters with a positive relationship with food.
Yes, we are pleased to provide government-funded childcare for eligible families.
All 3 and 4 year olds in England can receive 15 funded hours a week. Eligible working families can receive up to 30 hours a week from the term after their child turns 9 months old until they start school.
How funded hours are used can depend on your child’s attendance pattern and place availability, so our Nursery Manager will explain the options and help you understand what you may be entitled to. You can also read our fees and funding guide.
The current rules provide 30 hours for 38 weeks of the year, subject to eligibility; the income threshold is based on each parent’s adjusted net income, not simply their salary.
Fees vary according to your child’s age, chosen nursery, attendance pattern and funding entitlement. You can see our current rates on the fees and funding page.
For a more accurate estimate, tell us your child’s date of birth, preferred days and expected start date, and we’ll explain exactly what your monthly fees would be.
Each Unique Child nursery is registered with and inspected separately by Ofsted. Higham Hill and Northolt are both rated Good.
Stockwell was inspected on 1 May 2026 under Ofsted’s newer report-card system, which does not give one overall grade. It met safeguarding standards and achieved the Expected Standard in five areas assessed. You can read more and view the full report on our Stockwell page.