• Walthamstow Montessori School is specialist, nurturing and child led and aims to help young children flourish through genuine Montessori practice.

• Will suit families wanting a true Montessori early-years setting where independence, observation and calm routines are central.

Admissions at Walthamstow Montessori School are intimate and philosophy led, and should appeal to families seeking a genuine Montessori early-years setting rather than a conventional prep. It should suit parents who want children to learn through carefully prepared environments, independence and hands-on exploration, with Forest School elements adding to the mix.

Scholarships do not feature prominently here. The draw is the Montessori method itself, the small scale and the sense of care around children's early development.

The overall picture is specialist, nurturing and firmly Montessori in tone, with the school describing itself as a popular nursery using genuine Montessori and Forest Schooling methods. Parents should still visit because the important question is whether the school's approach and age range are the right fit for their child and family routine.

Assessment at Walthamstow Montessori is observation based rather than test driven, with staff tracking independence, language, concentration, practical skills and early literacy and numeracy through day-to-day classroom work. Families should expect detailed developmental observation rather than a conventional prep-school assessment culture.