Little Shells Nursery at St James

Earsby Street, London W14 8SH
Review Us
8.6 3 Reviews
  • Little Shells Nursery at St James, London
Little Shells Nursery at St James offers a warm, nurturing environment where young children are encouraged to grow with confidence, curiosity and joy. Located in Kensington Olympia, the nursery provides an inspiring setting that blends creativity, gentle structure, and a deep respect for each child’s individuality.

The team at Little Shells is experienced, caring, and passionate about early years education. They place equal importance on emotional wellbeing, social development and learning through play. Children benefit from a rich daily rhythm that includes storytelling, music, nature exploration, and early literacy and numeracy experiences – all designed to spark imagination and build strong foundations for lifelong learning.

Reflecting the values of the wider St James Schools' educational ethos, the nursery encourages mindfulness, kindness and self-expression. Children are gently guided to become independent, thoughtful and resilient individuals.

Linked closely with the Prep School community, the nursery gains access to specialist facilities, such as a teaching kitchen, pottery kiln, and library, which broaden children's experiences.

Parents often comment on the calm atmosphere, the strong relationships between staff and children, and the sense of trust and community that defines the setting.

Little Shells Nursery at St James provides a beautiful beginning to each child’s educational journey, balancing play, care and learning in a truly special environment.
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Type of Service

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

Owner

  • St James Schools
  • Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned

Person in Charge

  • Hilary Wyatt (Head of St James Nursery & Preparatory School)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 5

Registered Charity Number

  • 270156

Total Places for Children

  • 35

Age Range

  • from 2 years 0 months
  • to 4 years 11 months

Funding & Fees

  • 5 sessions (minimum):   £263/pw   £1,050/pm   £12,600/pa
    3 full days:   £315/pw   £1,260/pm   £15,120/pa
    4 full days:   £420/pw   £1,680/pm   £20,160/pa
    5 full days:   £525/pw   £2,100/pm   £25,200/pa


    *Minimum number of sessions is 5
    *Full day sessions include lunch
    *VAT included

  • We offer the government's 15-hour & 30-hour childcare funding for Nursery places. Once you have applied and if you are eligible, you will be given a code which we will ask for in our registration form.


    How this applies to fees:
    Goverment funding is based on 38 weeks of the year, giving eligible families 570 and 1140 hours respectively.
    To keep your monthly payments stable throughout the year, we roll this funding over the 48 weeks per year that we are open.


    We know that each Nursery School applies funding in different ways, so please feel free to ask our Admissions Registrar for further details.

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Christmas: 22/12/25 to 26/12/25, Easter: 30/03/26 to 05/04/26, Summer: 18/08/26 to 31/08/26

Little Shells Nursery at St James Reviews (3)

8.6

Little Shells Nursery at St James has a Review Score of 8.6 (8.649) out of 10, based on 3 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Little Shells Nursery at St James has 3 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 3
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Date Published
  • 3
  • 3
  • 3
  • 3
  • 0
Reviewer Connection to Little Shells Nursery at St James
  • 3
Total of 3, showing 1-3
Review from L W (Mother of Child) published on 23 September 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We are so pleased with our experience at Little Shells at St James. Our daughter loves going each day and it's been wonderful for her to feel connected to the wider St James school community by regularly seeing her older siblings.
The children have fantastic opportunities to take part in school performances
and assemblies, which really helps them feel included and confident. The outdoor space is excellent, and the varied daily schedule keeps every day exciting and fun. It's a truly special place that provides a fantastic start to their school journey.
Reply from the Team, Nursery Team at Little Shells Nursery at St James
The whole team would like to say thank you for this amazing feedback! We are very privileged to have such a strong link to our Prep School and Senior School, as connecting and interacting with the…read more
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Review from B G (Mother of Child) published on 30 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I would highly recommend the nursery. English is not my little one's mother tongue and he's of a shy personality. The staff are extremely caring, patient and attentive. They shower him with love and give him safe space to grow. Within a few weeks' time, there is a huge development in my little one.
He started from crying every morning to looking after going to the nursery. He makes good friends and enjoys the activities, particularly the garden visits. Many thanks to the staff again, and I'd highly recommend the nursery to anyone considering!
Reply from the Team, Nursery Team at Little Shells Nursery at St James
Thank you so much, on behalf of the whole team, for your kind words!As with most new experiences, settling into a new environment can be challenging, especially for young children. We are so glad our…read more
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Review from Esme T (Mother of Child) published on 30 July 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery at St James' is a really special place. It encompasses facilities and activities (forest school, chef-led cooking lessons, drama, music, library, sport, mindfulness, Sanskrit) you would expect from a pre prep nursery with a warm and nurturing environment that feels like family. The teachers
are hugely intuitive and give the children the space and encouragement to become compliant students while retaining and nurturing their respective characters. This was essential to me - to find a place that enabled children to become familiar with school routine without 'breaking their spirit.' I cannot express how grateful we are to St James and the other gorgeous families for such a wonderful year in nursery and the transition to school. Forever grateful and only wish we had found St James' sooner!
Reply from the Team, Nursery Team at Little Shells Nursery at St James
Thank you so much, on behalf of the whole team, for such a lovely review!As you beautifully said, the whole ethos of St James is to celebrate and nurture the individual within every child, and we…read more
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  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 8.6 (8.649)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.6 (8.649) out of 10 for Little Shells Nursery at St James 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 3 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.7 out of 5 from 3 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 4.970 for Little Shells Nursery at St James is calculated as follows: ( (32 Excellents x 5) + (1 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 33 Ratings = 4.97
  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 3.679 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Little Shells Nursery at St James is based on 3 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 = 3.25
    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 35 number of registered child places is 7. 3 Positive Reviews ÷ 7 = 0.429
  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 (4)

Serena

Serena Robb

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2025

I have been teaching for the past 15 years, working with children across a range of age groups in the EYFS and beyond.


I’m originally from New Zealand, where I gained extensive experience in the child-led approach. Since moving to London, I have worked in both state and independent schools, which has given me a strong understanding of the English education system and how to deliver it effectively.


I am a kind and nurturing teacher who helps each child develop a love of learning through play-based, spontaneous and structured activities. These experiences support the early skills that form the foundation for future learning.

Zara

Zara Zafar

Job Title: Deputy Nursery Manager Joined: 2025

I have been teaching in Early Years education for over 15 years, with much of my experience based in London.


My practice is strongly inspired by the Montessori approach, which places children at the very heart of everything we do.


I believe that childhood is the most important foundation for our shared future, and my classroom is a space of independence, creativity and love.

Danniella

Danniella

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2025

I have been working in childcare for 13 years. Working with children has changed my life; watching them grow and achieve their goals through the curriculum and through play makes me so happy.


Each day is different working with children. I look forward to expanding their knowledge and watching the outcome is so satisfying. What I like most is the children feeling free and being curious each and every day!

Lily

Lily

Job Title: Nursery Teaching Assistant Joined: 2023

I have loved St James since I was a pupil here. It is a very calm and welcoming community which fosters a culture of collaboration and growth. The dedication of both the staff and pupils to learning creates an inspiring atmosphere.

Frequently Asked Questions about Little Shells Nursery at St James

What is the Age Range of Children that Little Shells Nursery at St James accepts?

Little Shells Nursery at St James accepts Children aged from 2 years 0 months to 4 years 11 months.

What Days & Hours is Little Shells Nursery at St James Open?

Little Shells Nursery at St James is open: Monday 07:30-18:00, Tuesday 07:30-18:00, Wednesday 07:30-18:00, Thursday 07:30-18:00, Friday 07:30-18:00.

How many Children does Little Shells Nursery at St James have capacity for?

Little Shells Nursery at St James has capacity for a total of 35 Children.

How far is Little Shells Nursery at St James to the centre of London?

2.6 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

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