# Playhouse Montessori

Playhouse Montessori is a full-day nursery at 1a Dunbar Avenue, LONDON, SW16 4SB, in Norbury, Croydon. It is registered for 50 children and takes children aged from 3 months. It opens 07:45–18:00, Mon–Fri. Its Ofsted report card (May 2026) grades inclusion Strong standard, curriculum and teaching Expected standard, achievement Expected standard, behaviour and routines Expected standard, children's welfare and well-being Expected standard and leadership and governance Expected standard; safeguarding standards met. It accepts Tax-Free Childcare.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/playhouse-montessori-ey339849  
Last checked 11 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: 1a Dunbar Avenue, LONDON, SW16 4SB
- Ages: from 3 months
- Opening hours: 07:45–18:00, Mon–Fri
- Registered places: 50
- Tax-Free Childcare: yes
- Phone: 020 8764 2564
- Website: http://playhousemontessori.co.uk/
- Ofsted URN: EY339849

## Ofsted and official records

Report card inspection, 8 May 2026. Report cards grade each area separately; there is no single headline grade.

| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Inclusion | Strong standard |
| Curriculum and teaching | Expected standard |
| Achievement | Expected standard |
| Behaviour and routines | Expected standard |
| Children's welfare and well-being | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Expected standard |

Safeguarding standards met.

Inspection history:

- 8 May 2026: Ofsted report card, report card
- 27 October 2023: Ofsted inspection, Good

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY339849

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since October 2006 (Reference EY339849). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY339849)
- Inspections on record: 2 inspections (latest 8 May 2026). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY339849)
- Registered places: 50 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY339849)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 21 November 2025). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/2152)

## Fees

Fees: not published yet.

Nurseries in Croydon that publish fees charge £75–£125 a day for under-2s (8 nurseries). This is the area's range, not this nursery's.

## Hours and ages

- Monday to Friday: 07:45–18:00
- Ages: from 3 months

## Getting there

Address: 1a Dunbar Avenue, LONDON, SW16 4SB

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.406339,-0.115625

- Station: Norbury, 0.5 miles
- Station: Thornton Heath, 0.8 miles
- 6 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Norbury Hall Park, under 0.1 miles
- Park: Green Lane Sports Ground, 0.3 miles
- Park: Thornton Heath Recreation Ground, 0.3 miles
- Park: Norbury Park, 0.4 miles
- Park: Tree Space, 0.4 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.3 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 Croydon there are about 3.2 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


## About: a day here

### Learning and approach

- Montessori (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/)
- Play-based EYFS curriculum (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/)
- Nature-based approach (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/)
- Early phonics (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/)

### Outdoors

- Own garden (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/portfolio-collections/my-portfolio/untitled-project)
- Mud kitchen (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/portfolio-collections/my-portfolio/untitled-project)

### Care and routines

- Key person system (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/general-9)
- Separate baby room (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/rooms)
- Settling-in sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/general-9)

### SEND and inclusion

- SENCo (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/educators)
- Inclusive setting (source: nursery website, https://www.playhousemontessori.co.uk/general-6)

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kensington Avenue Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Requires improvement (July 2023) | yes | 0.3 miles |
| St James the Great RC Primary and Nursery School | Primary | 3–11 | Outstanding (November 2023) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| Winterbourne Junior Girls' School | Primary | 7–11 | Good (May 2024) |  | 0.5 miles |
| Winterbourne Nursery and Infants' School | Primary | 3–7 | Good (September 2023) | yes | 0.5 miles |
| Winterbourne Boys' Academy | Primary | 7–11 | School remains Good (March 2022) |  | 0.5 miles |
| Norbury Manor Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (February 2023) | yes | 0.6 miles |
| St Cyprian's Greek Orthodox Primary Academy | Primary | 3–11 | Requires improvement (June 2024) | yes | 0.7 miles |
| Beulah Junior School | Primary | 7–11 | Requires improvement (June 2024) |  | 0.7 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Loving Hands International Nursery School Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/loving-hands-international-nursery-school-ltd-2668959) | Good |  |  | 0.1 miles |
| [Daffodils Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/daffodils-day-nursery-ey408271) | Good |  | 08:00–18:00 | 0.1 miles |
| [Tenderlinks Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/tenderlinks-day-nursery-ey416326) | Good |  | 07:30–18:30 | 0.1 miles |
| [Ladels Day Nursery Limited](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/ladels-day-nursery-limited-ey384154) | Good |  | 07:30–18:00 | 0.3 miles |
| [Purple Panda Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/purple-panda-nursery-ey463886) | Good |  | 07:30–18:30 | 0.3 miles |
| [Daffodils](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/daffodils-ey408250) | Good |  | 08:00–18:00 | 0.3 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What are Playhouse Montessori's opening hours?

Playhouse Montessori opens 07:45–18:00, Mon–Fri.

### What ages does Playhouse Montessori take?

Playhouse Montessori takes children aged from 3 months.

### What is Playhouse Montessori's Ofsted rating?

Playhouse Montessori was inspected on 8 May 2026 and given an Ofsted report card. Report cards grade each area separately rather than giving one headline grade: inclusion Strong standard, curriculum and teaching Expected standard, achievement Expected standard, behaviour and routines Expected standard, children's welfare and well-being Expected standard and leadership and governance Expected standard. Safeguarding standards met.

### How many children can Playhouse Montessori take?

Playhouse Montessori is registered with Ofsted for up to 50 children at any one time.

### Does Playhouse Montessori accept Tax-Free Childcare?

Yes. Playhouse Montessori accepts Tax-Free Childcare payments.

### What approach does Playhouse Montessori follow?

Playhouse Montessori's website describes its approach as: Montessori, Play-based EYFS curriculum, Nature-based approach and Early phonics.

### Does Playhouse Montessori have outdoor space?

Playhouse Montessori lists: Own garden and Mud kitchen.

### Does Playhouse Montessori support children with SEND?

Playhouse Montessori lists: SENCo and Inclusive setting.

### What is the nearest station to Playhouse Montessori?

Norbury is the nearest station we know of, 0.4 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Playhouse Montessori?

You can call 020 8764 2564 and visit playhousemontessori.co.uk.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY339849)
- Fees, hours and features: the nursery's website (playhousemontessori.co.uk), as of 11 November 2026 (http://playhousemontessori.co.uk/)
- 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.