Mottingham Hall for Children Nursery, Farm and Forest School

Mottingham Lane, London SE9 4RW
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9.5 61 Reviews
  • Mottingham Hall for Children Nursery, Farm and Forest School, London
Mottingham Hall for Children is a unique setting with 4 acres or land. The nursery environment is an amazing place for children to grow and learn. Included is 1/3 acre of woodlands, a small onsite farm and allotment area.

The onsite Forest school sessions are run by a highly skilled Forest school trained leaders. The woodlands are securely fenced for nursery use only. Children aged from 2 years upwards use the forest daily. All children have access to the woodlands area on a regular basis and beautiful outdoor grounds. There is also a 6 seater buggy bus and children take regular trips out in this or by foot depending on age (parent permission given on admission).

The staff team have a range of qualification ranging from Level 5- to apprenticeships. The nursery goes above statutory staff to child ratios to ensure children have high quality interactions and care. All staff are Paediatric first aid trained and some both indoor and outdoor paediatric first aid trained.

Safeguarding is of paramount importance and compliance with Ofsted regulations are effectively audited regularly.

All food is cooked on the premises by an onsite chef, as well as delicious parent breakfast treats baked by the chef assistant. There is also a parent area where parents can take an on the go bite, as well as make a takeaway tea and coffee. The menus reflect healthy eating using fresh products all of the time. These are reviewed at least once in a year for summer and autumn.

The nursery is a Curiosity Approach accredited setting, Brain injury accredited setting, Day Nurseries Top 10 winners for London 2022, and Forest School association accredited. It has also been awarded a silver Royal Forestry award.

The nursery is located close to the local train station and the A2/A20 covering areas such as Bromley, Chislehurst, Eltham, Sidcup and Lee.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Owner

  • Mottingham Hall Ltd
  • Privately Owned

Person in Charge

  • Melanie Pearce (Director)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 34

Total Places for Children

  • 84

Age Range

  • from 0 years 3 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Funding & Fees

  • Please contact us for our most up to date fee sheet. Part days not available - FEE 15 & 30 hours registered.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays only

Parking

  • They have on site parking for pick up and drop off. They also have a buggy store for their families who walk to the setting.

Mottingham Hall for Children Nursery, Farm and Forest School Reviews (61)

9.5

Mottingham Hall for Children Nursery, Farm and Forest School has a Review Score of 9.5 (9.487) out of 10, based on 10 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Mottingham Hall for Children Nursery, Farm and Forest School has 61 reviews.

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Review from D S (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
They really take an effort in finding interesting and fun methods to teach babies different skills. The only feedback I would like to give is that it would be good to have more daily updates and pictures. It will help parents to repeat those activities at home and bolster their learning.
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Review from Sihem H (Mother of Child) published on 6 February 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very nice environment. I leave my son with peace and he is happy to come back. The team are fantastic at reassuring, playing and developing my son's skills. They have an amazing outdoor space and a forest and they use natural materials. The kids' rooms are all very neat and cosy. I highly recommend
the nursery. Management really care about kids' development and about our feedback.
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Review from Sian H (Mother of Child) published on 29 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We absolutely love this nursery. Our son started in January 2021 when he was 14-months-old, and his progression since then has been amazing. Our son just has the best time, so much so that he often tells me his key workers are his best friends and not mummy or daddy. I am just amazed by what he is learning
there, and often he tells me off for not doing things "properly" that I know he's learnt there (ie if I eat my food too fast I'll get a burp or that I'm not doing the actions for Incy Wincy Spider correctly), so I'm learning too!
They have so much outdoor space, and he loves exploring the forest and playing in the gardens.
The nursery provides regular updates both in-person and via the app on how he is progressing and how these relate to developmental areas.
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Review from Angela M (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Superb nursery with great outdoor space for your child’s physical development along with plenty of education from the forest school and various activities the staff make available.
This is a very nurturing environment and you have the complete support of staff for your own child’s development.
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Review from R G (Father of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son loves it here. All the outdoors play and particularly the forest is doing wonders for his development. The staff really care for the children's development and wellbeing. The kids are seen as their own children and thus the care shown is in line with this.
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Review from Ashley F (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery is brilliant and has been since the day my daughter started. They have helped her develop so much and she loves attending! The teaching and admin staff are amazing and always answer any questions we have as parents. My daughter loves going to this nursery and hopefully my son will enjoy
it just as much when he starts in October.
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Review from Rachel C (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot rate Mottingham Hall for Children highly enough. They were extremely sensitive, kind and responsive when they identified that our daughter has additional needs and quick to put individualised support in place, which has enabled our daughter to thrive in the nursery setting and access other
support promptly, which is absolutely invaluable.
Aside from this, the forest school and facilities, in general, are absolutely incredible!
Management are very responsive and dynamic, all members of the team that I have come into contact with have been warm, well informed and compassionate, you can tell they have a genuine love for what they do. It is an exceptional nursery.
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Review from Charlotte D (Mother of Child) published on 24 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We've been so impressed with how well our little one settled into this nursery and that is of great credit to both the nursery staff and the setting they provide. Communication has been great and staff are always willing to offer tips and advice for any queries we have. Monthly focus meetings also help
to delve deeper into developmental needs.
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Review from Alan H (Father of Child) published on 23 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our two children currently attend Mottingham Hall Nursery and pre-school. Our eldest boy has attended Mottingham Hall for almost four years and our daughter has been there for almost a year. It's been a hugely positive experience. The nursery and pre-school have excellent management and very professional
and kind staff. The level of care provided to our children has been outstanding. The quality and diversity of the meals, the education provided, the amazing outdoor facilities, and the incredible staff are what set Mottingham Hall apart from any other nursery we visited. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have our children attend Mottingham Hall.
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Review from Claire W (Mother of Child) published on 23 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Absolutely wonderful nursery, in a class of its own! Which other nursery in London has 4 acres to play with and back onto further fields. Supremely experienced staff and management, forest school encourages the children to do things we could never imagine them do - what 3-year-olds light fires with
flints (under supervision of course!)? Very supportive staff for all issues that new parents have. Children go in happy every day.
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Review from D W (Father of Child) published on 23 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mottingham Hall is a fantastic nursery. The combination of motivated career staff and amazing facilities mean that our children really enjoy going. The time spent in their forest has given our children great confidence. We're really impressed!
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Review from Jennifer E (Mother of Child) published on 23 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mottingham Hall is an amazing nursery, I don’t have experience of other nurseries, however, listening to the experiences of my other mum's friends Mottingham Hall definitely goes over and beyond for the children, you can trust your child is in safe hands. The food is nutritious and varied, we are regularly
updated during the day with what our child has eaten during the day and how much. The nursery is very outdoor with a forest school which my son loves. We have a focus week almost monthly where we have a catch-up with his key worker who is very experienced and discuss his progress and what he enjoys. My son loves going into the nursery, barely says goodbye when he races in!
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Review from Elizabeth S (Mother of Child) published on 22 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been using this nursery since 2015 for our first child, and 3 children later we know we chose the perfect nursery for our family.
My 2-year-old little boy is so happy, runs in without a backward glance each morning and chats happily about his day on the way home.
The staff are all friendly
and approachable and always happy to chat about my child's day when I collect him. They know him really well and often activities are designed for his interests and curiosities.
The rooms and grounds spark the children's curiosity and independent play, that even my 8-year-old is often desperate to get back in to explore.
The nursery has a small, family feel and means I can head to work after dropping my son off for his breakfast knowing he will have a fantastic day at Mottingham Hall.
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Review from James H (Father of Child) published on 22 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has just started at Mottingham Hall in the youngest class. As parents of a child born during the pandemic, it has been hard for us to adapt to our daughter going to nursery. The employees at Mottingham Hall have not only welcomed our daughter with love and affection whilst settling in,
but they have also taken the time to ensure that my wife and I are extremely well informed and guided us through this new transition. Our daughter has settled in really well to Mottingham Hall and I really must commend all of the employees for the way they approach the settling-in process.


In addition, it really does feel like my family has joined a whole community rather than a nursery. The nursery put on events, have projects that you can support, and communicate clearly and frequently. We are incredibly lucky that our daughter has a place at Mottingham Hall, it has benefitted the whole family, and made us feel part of thriving community.

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Review from T C (Father of Child) published on 22 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We used Mottingham Hall from 9 months to 4 years old with our oldest son and our youngest is still currently there.
We cannot recommend this nursery enough! Our children have been fully supported throughout every stage of their development. The nursery’s focus on outside learning was a key factor in
choosing this nursery. Even in poor weather, the kids are encouraged to put on their wellies and rain macs and exploder the nursery’s huge woodland areas and gardens.


Both kids hop in every morning, excited about their adventures with Mottingham Hall's lovely staff.
I strongly recommend considering this nursery for any child.

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Review from R M (Mother of Child) published on 21 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Mottingham Hall for Children is an incredible haven for children. My 3-year-old son is thriving there. He is benefiting greatly from the curiosity approach, forest school and huge open play space. The teachers are professional, caring and vibrant. The managers are dynamic and driven. I recommend it
wholeheartedly.
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Review from Kalee N (Mother of Child) published on 21 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Exceptional service, Mottingham Hall exists to care and create happiness for children all whilst giving both me and my son's father genuine peace of mind whilst away from him. The staff go above and beyond for both parents and children. I am blown away on a weekly basis at all the educational games
and adventures my son takes part in. He always comes home with a smile, and a lot of the time doesn’t want to leave because he's having so much fun. Can't rate Mottingham Hall enough!
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Review from A C (Mother of Child) published on 21 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely nursery with lots of outdoor space and a forest school. Lovely caring staff. Management takes children's nutrition and development seriously. My daughter loves going there. The nursery’s fees are on the expensive side.
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Review from Emily C (Mother of Child) published on 21 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A lovely welcoming nursery, our daughter has flourished here. Every member of staff we've come into contact with has been caring and kind, and management are very knowledgeable about the Early Years curriculum. The provision of activities is brilliant, particularly the outdoor space - in addition to
the gardens by the nursery rooms, there is an enormous forest that the children get to explore. We couldn't be happier with Mottingham Hall and our daughter loves it!
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Review from S F (Father of Child) published on 21 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Sending your child to nursery is one of the most daunting yet unspoken milestones of parenthood. The apparent fears of leaving him in the care of others create a nervousness that is difficult to articulate. My partner and I had a set of stringent prerequisites that we sought in a chosen nursey, with
the people being the vertebrate of our criterion. Our expectations have been surpassed, and superlatives may not fully justify how magical Mottingham and its workforce are. They show empathy, genuine affection, care and utter professionalism in everything they do. It is an environment that allows our son to explore, express himself, and be in a community underpinned by the team's beautiful values. Our son loves every day spent at nursery, and we are incredibly thankful for the team's role in his development. We are fortunate that our son has been allowed to attend this magical nursery.
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Current Review Score: 9.5 (9.487)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.5 (9.487) out of 10 for Mottingham Hall for Children Nursery, Farm and Forest School is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 10 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.6 out of 5 from 10 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.892 for Mottingham Hall for Children Nursery, Farm and Forest School is calculated as follows: ( (107 Excellents x 5) + (13 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 120 Ratings = 4.892
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 4.595 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Mottingham Hall for Children Nursery, Farm and Forest School is based on 10 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 84 number of registered child places is 16.8. 10 Positive Reviews ÷ 16.8 = 0.595
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (1)

Meet the Team (2)

Melanie

Melanie Pearce

Job Title: Director/Manager Joined: 2014

Melanie is the setting owner she has over 32 years of experience in early years.

Emma

Emma Savage

Job Title: Director/Manager Joined: 2014

Emma has worked at Mottingham Hall for children for 10 years. She is level 5 qualified and currently studying her Early Years Teacher Status.

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