Raphael Nursery Clapham

12 Poynders Road, London SW4 8NY
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Top 20 award
10 42 Reviews
  • Raphael Nursery Clapham, London
Raphael Nursery is a group of award-winning bilingual French nurseries. The setting is a family-owned nursery located in Clapham South at the edge of Abbeville village. The nursery welcomes children aged between 3 months and 5 years old. They open 51 weeks a year from 8.00am to 6.00pm.

They provide a living culture and creative exploration through the eyes of the child. By building on Montessori methods and linguistic arts, they have developed their unique curriculum. As a result, they prepare a child to excel in their foundation years. Children can then move through life with a strong ability to achieve excellence.

Your child’s early years are vital. They are the foundation for thinking, language, vision, attitudes and aptitudes. This is the perfect time for children to learn foreign languages. At Raphael Nursery, teachers are French and English. These early years are ideal for a teacher to guide a child’s willingness and ability to learn. In the French nursery, bilingualism helps children to make sense of the world around them. It also helps them to discover the joy of communication.

Furthermore, Montessori is a dynamic international education platform. Through continuous observation and tailored approach, they strive to meet each child’s needs. By meeting physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional, children therefore grow with excitement. In the bilingual French Montessori nursery, children blossom.

Finally, a high level of academic achievement is a natural outcome in most Montessori schools and nurseries because of the supportive environment. All children are born with a curiosity to discover new things. They are indeed eager to try and develop new skills in the world around them. Raphael Nursery combines Montessori methods and early teaching of a foreign language. This therefore equips the children with the right tools to thrive in their development within the bilingual French nursery.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Colette Creasy (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 16

Total Places for Children

  • 40

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Please contact us for our fees, they are on our Brochure. We offer 3 days to 5 days. No half day sessions due to bilingualism.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays

Raphael Nursery Clapham Reviews (42)

10

Raphael Nursery Clapham has a Review Score of 10 (9.992) out of 10, based on 20 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Raphael Nursery Clapham has 42 reviews.

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Total of 42, showing 21-40
Review from B D (Father of Child) published on 10 October 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little one loves preschool room teachers. They have been very attentive and helped her to get used to a new environment. You know it's a great place when one doesn't want to leave the place when pick-up time comes.
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Review from A F (Mother of Child) published on 13 September 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our little boy has blossomed in this nursery over the last 3 years. He has had several teachers and key workers and they have all treated him and us with so much kindness, care and good humour!
The management team have always done everything they could to be flexible and accommodating, not only throughout
COVID but also as I (mum) was transitioning back into work with irregular hours. They have been so supportive. We are genuinely so sad to say goodbye, but it feels like our boy is actually really ready to start school now after his time with them.
They supported us with potty training, and never pressured us when we chose to wait longer than others. They supported him as well through learning how to make friendships and resolve conflict.
Nutrition: very good.
The outdoor space is small but sufficient, and the kids love to play there, and the park is also just around the corner.
Overall, we highly recommend this wonderful nursery and are so grateful to its manager and staff.
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Review from Andrei B (Father of Child) published on 18 July 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our baby has settled really well into the nursery thanks to the lovely staff, who are giving the children excellent care and love. The process of the settlement has been very smooth and the staff and management have been amazing at keeping us updated during the process and answering all of our questions.
Our son loves coming to nursery where he is provided with a very good variety of activities, helping him to make progress in his development. The children are going in the garden everyday and they sometimes take trips to the park, which is very important for us. The food is cooked fresh on the day and menus are very healthy and low in salt and sugar. They have also been very accommodating to our dietary preferences. Staff is making sure that the children are well hydrated throughout the day as well. We are having a fantastic experience with Raphael Nursery Clapham and we feel very grateful for the very hard work from the staff and management to make our little one's day a positive one.
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Review from Tom W (Father of Child) published on 23 October 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter attended the nursery for two years, settling quickly and feeling comfortable with the staff. She really benefited from being exposed to French and English through the various activities undertaken with bilingual staff. She really enjoyed the mix of activities offered each day and that their
complexity increased as she grew. The well-thought-through curriculum balanced arts, music, play and sports. We were particularly impressed with the quality of food on offer and how this influenced her food choices outside the nursery (much more willing to eat fruit and vegetables). As she moved to preschool there were some nice trips to the local park which exposed her to the wider world. I would highly recommend this nursery, the management and wider care team are extremely capable and communicate very well. I never had any concerns about her happiness or safety while she attended. Many thanks again to the team for the love and care given over the last two years
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Review from Nicky S (Mother of Child) published on 9 July 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son attended this nursery from Spring 2021 to May 2022 and was very settled here! He particularly enjoyed learning French (there is at least 1 French speaker in each room), arts and crafts, playing in the garden and the food. The food is of a very high quality and low in salt and sugar. Snacks are
healthy, mainly fresh fruit. It gave me peace of mind that my son was being fed so well during the day and kept hydrated. He is two years old now; he started at this nursery at 11 months and understands many French words. His English is pretty good too and he is starting to put words together to form the basis of simple sentences. The nursery ensures that the children go outside in the garden during the day to ensure they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. They do group exercises in the morning and afternoon, some of them are in French (all will be explained upon joining). I am very happy with this nursery and would highly recommend it. Merci B!
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Review from S A (Mother of Child) published on 3 May 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started here at six months and I was a bit nervous about him being the youngest in there - but the staff helped him develop so well! They are always very friendly and I can see he likes going there now as he gets excited to hop into his pushchair in the morning. Highly recommended!
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Review from E R (Mother of Child) published on 20 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son loves nursery, and what more can you ask for? The staff are lovely and have got to know him really well, and he greets them happily every day. The activities are a real range with plenty of messy play/learning and outdoor roaming in the garden. We then get a cute report and pictures at the end
of each day. I am really pleased we chose Raphael’s!
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Review from A G (Father of Child) published on 24 December 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Raphael's was the first nursery that our daughter started off at and they provided excellent support in settling her in. The staff are very welcoming and were extremely attentive to our daughter so much so that she seemed to prefer being at nursery after only a couple of weeks!


We cannot recommend

Raphael's Nursery enough!
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Review from Mariana M (Mother of Child) published on 8 April 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am grateful for the team of carers that took care of my child when I couldn't. The carers not only encouraged her development but it was also clear how she took to them and how they cared for her. The nursery is a safe space for her to explore and grow independently, partly because of the Montessori
method, as well as for me to be part of her implementing a healthy routine. As a bilingual portfolio, it was crucial for us to have her in contact with both the English and French languages and we can see daily the results of that exposure in her daily life. The carers and the space of the nursery are a big part of my child's attitude and happiness. We couldn't be happier or trust them more, so thank you.
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Review from Sarah W (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We’ve had the most wonderful experience having our little girl in Raphael Nursery. From the start, the communication and admin for admission was brilliant. Despite the pandemic and all that they’ve had to endure, the team welcomed our daughter in and made her feel safe. Within no time at all she was
so happy and began thriving in both learning and developing her own personality. The team are excellent. They truly care and the manager is an outstanding manager. In addition, the daily activities are so well planned and presented, the children do seem to have such fun learning and playing. We were always impressed with meals and the fact that they’re all home cooked on site. We’re so glad that we were able to spend the time that we did with Raphael Nursery before relocation sadly moved us away. I highly recommend Raphael Nursery. They are excellent!
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Review from Ian G (Father of Child) published on 12 January 2021 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter attended Raphael Nursery for 2 years and we have nothing but positive things to say about her time there.
The staff are so kind and welcoming, we always felt like we were dropping our daughter off with extended family. They would always welcome the children in the morning with a smile
on their faces, and those smiles were still there at the end of the day when through feedback was given about what they had been up to that day.
Despite a challenging year with COVID lockdowns and changes to the way things have to be done, the owners handled everything very well, ensuring the staff were looked after and the children were able to return to a safe environment with minimal disruption.
We always speak highly of our daughters time at the nursery, and so does she. Lots of great memories made, and her development in that time has been amazing.
Thank you to the owners, the management, and all the staff that make it such a great nursery.
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Review from P B (Father of Child) published on 23 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My experience of the nursery has been fantastic and we would definitely recommend it to others.
Warm and loving care.
Supportive and nurturing.
Unique ethos and values.
Very good mix of activities and supporting pedagogical materials.
It is a chance to have such a nursery around Clapham and Balham.
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Review from Tessa J (Mother of Child) published on 23 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been part of the nursery for a few years now, first with our son and now with our daughter. There are so many good things about this nursery, I couldn’t recommend it more! First of all the care the children receive is fantastic. The children’s days are structured and the variety of activities
is admirable. The bilingual aspect is important to us and has given our children a wonderful foundation not just for French but for learning languages as we speak more at home. I truly believe in Montessori and it’s good that the education and activities are structured around the concept. The nursery has adapted very well to Covid and I feel confident in all the Health & Safety in place. There is a real family atmosphere around the nursery with wonderful staff. We are very happy at the nursery!
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Review from Sophie G (Mother of Child) published on 23 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
After visiting a number of nurseries in the Clapham and Balham area, I was very happy to find Raphael Nursery. The staff are dedicated and have a great rapport with the children. The bilingual aspect was a real bonus and my son now understands French, which is fantastic. Although there are free play
and a wide range of activities on offer, they provide focus activities, teaching the children fine motor skills and preparing the children for entry to Primary School.
My son started at the age of 8 months and loved it. He left at the end of the year to move to school and the transition has been very easy for him as he was used to a structured day. The offer of extended hours is also brilliant for working parents. I always recommend the nursery to parents in the area. A big thank you to Raphael Nursery for looking after our son so well and for getting him ready for the next stage.
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Review from Stephanie C (Mother of Child) published on 14 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has really loved going to Raphael Nursery. All of the staff were very loving and caring with Montessori, English or French background. He settled in well, bonding with his key person as well as the other staff and little children in his room and we have been very happy of his progress. He can
now sing a few songs in both English and French, understand well the 2 languages and write his name. He has learned to listen and be in a classroom setting; such a great preparation for school! The mix of activities and unique ways of learning have made this space very special for us. We definitely loved this nursery and would recommend it!
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Review from Nischa U (Mother of Child) published on 14 October 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Raphael Nursery is a great nursery with amazing staff. Our little one loves it there and has such a great bond with everyone working there. She is also learning so much and comes home every week learning something new. We would strongly recommend this nursery.
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Review from Marie L (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We do not exactly live near the nursery but we really do not regret the time spent in travelling to drop our daughter off. It is a friend who recommended Raphael Nursery. It is such a lovely and warm place. The staff truly care about children to develop them. The key worker for my daughter was French
and we had a wonderful relationship with her. Our daughter's progress has really been stunning and we work well with the nursery to build bridges between what she learns at the nursery and what she does at home.
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Review from Julie R (Mother of Child) published on 29 January 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter attended this nursery. It was not the closest to where we lived, but it was worthwhile making the efforts every morning. The staff are very nice and professional. They provided the caring environment for my daughter that I really wanted. My daughter had a smile every day she came to the
nursery. She is now at reception, and she settled very well. We miss the nursery but hopefully, they will have a place for our second child!
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Review from John C (Father of Child) published on 19 January 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery has been a stepping stone for my child. We were hesitant at the beginning as we are both English but our child is now able to speak fluently in French and English. This is quite stunning. The nursery staff have been caring and loving all along so we would really recommend the place.
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Review from France M (Mother of Child) published on 4 April 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We live around the area. This nursery is a first choice because it provides French bilingual education and Montessori on the top of the normal nursery services. So it was really an obvious choice for us even if we are not French. Our child thrives and is making very good progress. Very family friendly
with loving staff.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.992)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.992) out of 10 for Raphael Nursery Clapham is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 20 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 20 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 4.992 for Raphael Nursery Clapham is calculated as follows: ( (238 Excellents x 5) + (2 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 240 Ratings = 4.992
  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 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Raphael Nursery Clapham is based on 20 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 40 number of registered child places is 8, which has been reached with 20 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  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

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Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Raphael Nursery Clapham to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Raphael Nursery Clapham has an Enhanced Service - more info.