Ofsted registered · Montessori · Notting Hill
The Apple Tree House Montessori

Home  ·  A day with us

A day with usFrom drop-off to pick-up

Indoors and outdoors, the park and stay and play, and plenty to do in between.

8:30 — Arrivals

A slow, warm start. Coats and shoes go away by the children themselves, which takes longer and is worth it. A moment at the door to tell us how the night went.

9:00 — Activities

Children choose what they would like to do from the shelves. We observe, and step in only when stepping in helps.

10:30 — Snack

Fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables with water. Children choose, prepare and clear their own. Milk is offered daily to under-fives.

11:00 — Outdoors

The garden, the park, or along to a stay and play session. We are outdoors every day, whatever the weather.

12:30 — Lunch and rest

Lunch together at the table, then a cosy sleep corner for those who need it — checked constantly, with individual bedding washed frequently.

2:00 — Afternoon

Painting, cooking, music, stories and more time outside. Quieter than the morning, and deliberately so.

A child working with playdough

Practical notes

What to send in

  • A healthy packed lunch and a labelled water bottle
  • Seasonal, weather-ready clothing — we go out in the rain
  • A full change of clothes, more for children in nappies
  • Indoor shoes or slippers if you would like them
  • A comforter, if your child uses one. Bring it. Always.

Everything gets messy at some point. Please send clothes you do not mind being painted on — worrying about an outfit is the fastest way to stop a child joining in.

A toddler posting balls into a tube

Settling in

Starting with us

Settling visits come first, and they are unhurried. Your key person spends that time getting to know your child rather than showing you round — you can look at shelves any day.

You will complete an About Your Child form covering routines, comforters, foods, words they use for things, and anything else that helps us get it right on day one. Observations begin from that first morning.