# Marmalade Caterpillar

Marmalade Caterpillar is a sessional pre-school at St Judes Chuch Hall, Heslop Road, London, SW12 8EG, in Upper Tooting, Wandsworth. It is registered for 40 children and takes children aged 2 years to 5 years. It opens 09:00–17:00, Mon–Fri, term time only. Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection in March 2025, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025. It offers funded places for 2-year-olds and the 15 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds. It has a Google rating of 5.0 from 2 reviews (November 2026). It is run by Marmalade Schools Limited.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/marmalade-caterpillar-2702411  
Last checked 11 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Sessional pre-school
- Address: St Judes Chuch Hall, Heslop Road, London, SW12 8EG
- Ages: 2 years to 5 years
- Opening hours: 09:00–17:00, Mon–Fri
- Weeks open: term time only
- Registered places: 40
- Funded childcare: funded places for 2-year-olds and the 15 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds
- Phone: 020 8265 5224
- Website: http://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/
- Run by: [Marmalade Schools Limited](https://toddly.co.uk/groups/marmalade-schools-limited)
- Ofsted URN: 2702411

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Outstanding at its inspection on 4 March 2025, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Outstanding
- Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding
- Personal development: Outstanding
- Leadership and management: Outstanding

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2702411

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since September 2022 (Reference 2702411). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2702411)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 4 March 2025). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2702411)
- Registered places: 40 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2702411)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 8 October 2026). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1573060)

## Fees

Funded hours: 2-year-olds, 15 hours.

Fees: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

- Monday to Friday: 09:00–17:00
- Ages: 2 years to 5 years
- Weeks open: term time only

## Getting there

Address: St Judes Chuch Hall, Heslop Road, London, SW12 8EG

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.442367,-0.159830

- Station: Balham, 0.3 miles
- Station: Wandsworth Common, 0.3 miles
- Station: Tooting Bec, 0.4 miles
- 3 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Wandsworth Common, 0.2 miles
- Park: Nightingale Square, 0.4 miles
- Playground: Upper Tooting Park Play Space, 0.2 miles

© OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026 · Powered by TfL Open Data, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Wandsworth there are about 2.4 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings

- Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews (as of 11 November 2026)

## About: a day here

### Learning

The nursery's website names Montessori and a Play-based EYFS curriculum as its approach. Ofsted's 2025 inspection rated overall effectiveness Outstanding and quality of education Outstanding. Its website lists SEND support and an inclusive setting, along with music, language, sports coaching, dance and movement, drama, cooking and STEM activities.

- Montessori (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum-a-typical-day)
- Play-based EYFS curriculum (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)

### Settling in

Before starting, families get a New Parent Pack, a home visit from the group teacher and a Stay and Play session with their group, according to its website. Children start on a staggered basis over the first week, siblings first, and parents can stay while a child is unsettled.

- Term-time only (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/)
- Late pick-up (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/)
- Settling-in sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/admissions/admissions-settling-in)
- Holiday club (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/)
- Breakfast club (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/)

### SEND and inclusion

- SEND support (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/admissions/admissions-settling-in)
- Inclusive setting (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/our-schools/marmalade-caterpillar-balham)

### Safety

Ofsted's 2025 inspection found safeguarding effective.

- Parent app with daily updates (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)
- Online learning journal (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)
- Near public transport (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/our-schools/marmalade-caterpillar-balham)

### Extras and activities

- Music classes (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)
- Language classes (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)
- Sports coaching (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)
- Dance and movement (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)
- Drama (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)
- Cooking activities (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)
- STEM activities (source: nursery website, https://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/curriculum/curriculum)

### Getting a place

To apply, families complete the online registration form, email it to the School Office and pay the non-refundable registration fee to join the waiting list for the nursery closest to their home, according to its website. Places are offered as they become available, and the nursery accepts funded hours for 2-year-olds and the universal 15 funded hours for 3-4 year olds.

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity St Mary's CofE Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | Good (February 2024) | yes | 0.2 miles |
| Hornsby House School |  | 4–11 |  |  | 0.2 miles |
| Eveline Day School |  | 2–11 |  | yes | 0.3 miles |
| Finton House School |  | 4–11 |  |  | 0.3 miles |
| Ravenstone Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Good (September 2023) | yes | 0.3 miles |
| Rutherford House School | Primary | 4–11 | Good (July 2022) |  | 0.3 miles |
| Balham Nursery School | Nursery | 2–5 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Outstanding; Personal development: Outstanding; Leadership and management: Good (January 2025) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| Holy Ghost Catholic Primary School | Primary | 5–11 | Good (June 2024) |  | 0.4 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [The Boulevard](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/the-boulevard-ey550448) | Good |  | 07:30–18:30 | 0.3 miles |
| [Eveline Day Nursery Schools Limited (The)](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/eveline-day-nursery-schools-limited-the-ey438167) | Good |  | 07:30–18:30 | 0.3 miles |
| [Marmalade Bear](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/marmalade-bear-2702407) | Outstanding |  | 09:00–17:00 | 0.3 miles |
| [Crescent II Kindergarten: The Kindergartens](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/crescent-ii-kindergarten-the-kindergartens-ey367053) | Outstanding |  | 08:45–16:00 | 0.3 miles |
| [Bertrum House Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/bertrum-house-nursery-ey537851) | Outstanding |  | 08:45–15:30 | 0.3 miles |
| [Little Beans Balham Boutique Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-beans-balham-boutique-nursery-2621756) | Good |  | 07:30–18:30 | 0.4 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Marmalade Caterpillar offer 30 funded hours?

Marmalade Caterpillar does not list the 30 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds.

### Does Marmalade Caterpillar take funded 2-year-olds?

Yes. Marmalade Caterpillar offers funded places for eligible 2-year-olds.

### What are Marmalade Caterpillar's opening hours?

Marmalade Caterpillar opens 09:00–17:00, Mon–Fri.

### Is Marmalade Caterpillar open all year?

No. Marmalade Caterpillar is open term time only.

### What ages does Marmalade Caterpillar take?

Marmalade Caterpillar takes children aged 2 years to 5 years.

### What is Marmalade Caterpillar's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Marmalade Caterpillar Outstanding at its inspection on 4 March 2025, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can Marmalade Caterpillar take?

Marmalade Caterpillar is registered with Ofsted for up to 40 children at any one time.

### Who runs Marmalade Caterpillar?

Marmalade Caterpillar is run by Marmalade Schools Limited, which runs 6 nurseries.

### What approach does Marmalade Caterpillar follow?

Marmalade Caterpillar's website describes its approach as: Montessori and Play-based EYFS curriculum.

### Does Marmalade Caterpillar support children with SEND?

Marmalade Caterpillar lists: SEND support and Inclusive setting.

### What is the nearest station to Marmalade Caterpillar?

Balham is the nearest station we know of, 0.3 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Marmalade Caterpillar?

You can call 020 8265 5224 and visit www.marmaladeschools.co.uk.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2702411)
- Fees, hours and features: the nursery's website (www.marmaladeschools.co.uk), as of 11 November 2026 (http://www.marmaladeschools.co.uk/)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Marmalade+Caterpillar&query_place_id=ChIJq6qqqsUFdkgRhdSO6OHMEAU)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.