A term-time nursery in Balham for ages 16 months to 5 years, where children grow together in one shared space, with flexible sessions that fit around your week.
48 Endlesham Road, SW12 8JL07803 324821Open: Mon-Wed | 9:15am-3:30pm and Thu | 9:15am-1:00pmFriday Sessions starting from September (9:15am - 1pm)
Ofsted Rated GoodAges 16 months to 5 years
Good
What makes us, us
Most nurseries have the same checklist. Here’s what actually makes the difference day to day.
Every child has a dedicated key person from day one. They get to know your child properly, their routines, their personality, what helps them settle and thrive. They keep you updated, support development, and are your go-to person. It’s personal, consistent care. The kind that makes leaving your child feel easy.
All children share one space, creating a more natural, home-like environment. Older children develop confidence and care for others. Younger ones learn quickly by watching and joining in. It’s not overly structured or split into rooms. it’s calm, nurturing, and feels like real life.
Not every family needs the same routine. We offer mornings, afternoons, or a mix of both and we’re happy to adapt as your needs change. No rigid patterns. No unnecessary stress. Just childcare that works around your life.
Our settling in guarantee
We run a 10-day calm start programme to give every child a structured, gentle transition into nursery life.
Defined stages, regular, and a built-in guarantee. If your child is not settled by day 10, we extend at no extra cost.
Fully settled in 10 daysOfsted Rated Good
Nothing tells you more about a nursery than the families who are already there.
“I have sent all three of my children to Little Starlings and couldn't have asked for a better start to nursery life. Lisa and the team could not be more loving and comforting to the children. My children became more confident and independent through their time there. I couldn't recommend the nursery more.”
“Little starlings is the most delightful, loving little preschool. They have devoted and experienced staff who adapt to the needs of every individual child. My daughter has grown so very much socially, emotionally and in her learning here and I wouldn’t want her anywhere else. Sad to say she’ll be off to school in September but my son will follow her to little starlings. My daughter absolutely loves her adults and it’s clear from every interaction how much they love and care for her. It is a truly wonderful and unique preschool and we are lucky to have it here in Balham!”
“Our boy has really blossomed since starting at Little Starlings, and we genuinely think the caring approach from the staff has made all the difference. The team were so patient during those early weeks, gradually building his confidence, and he was everyday going to nursery with excitement. A great highlight is how much time they spend outside in the garden. Thank you so much Lisa and team!”
Take the next step
A tour is the best way to know whether we are the right fit. Come and meet the team, see the spaces, and ask us anything.
We have one shared room for all ages, which creates a natural, home-like atmosphere. Older children develop confidence and a care for others. Younger children learn quickly by watching and joining in. There are no formal rotations - children move freely between activities and follow their own curiosity, with staff guiding their development.
We have our own garden and use it in all weathers. Children go outside every day, building coordination and confidence through physical play. We also take regular walks into Balham - to the library, to nearby green spaces, and occasionally further afield for outings such as theatre trips and fire station visits.
Find us
Address
48 Endlesham Road, SW12 8JL
Phone
Opening hours
Mon-Wed | 9:15am-3:30pm Thu | 9:15am-1:00pm
Age range
16 months to 5 years
Day in the life
For parents considering a nursery place
Everything you need to know before your child's first day. From what to pack to how the settling-in process works.
No surprises
Ad-hoc
per session
Full Day (9:15am - 3:30pm)
£90.00
Morning (9:15am - 12:15pm)
£44.00
Lunch Club (12.15pm - 1pm)
£10.00
Afternoon (1pm - 3:30pm)
£36.00
Subject to availability.
Government funding can make a big difference to your childcare costs. We’ll guide you through your options when you come to visit.
Explore our fees, funding support and simple enrolment process
Areas we serve
Ofsted registered, inspected, and rated Good
Independently inspected so you do not have to take our word for it.
Things parents ask us
We’re a small, home-from-home nursery in Balham where children of different ages learn and grow together in one shared space.
We focus on a few things and do them really well: helping children settle calmly, building strong relationships, and giving them time to play, rest, and feel at home.
It’s a simpler, more personal approach, and it makes a big difference to how children settle and thrive.
We’re based on Endlesham Road in Balham, just a short walk from Balham station.
We welcome families from Balham, Clapham South, Tooting Bec and the surrounding areas.
We provide childcare for children aged 16 months to 4 years, supporting their development through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Yes, we offer both 15 and 30 hour funded childcare places, depending on eligibility. We’re happy to guide you through how funding works and how it can be used across sessions.
Our nursery fees vary depending on the sessions chosen. You can view full details on our Fees & Funding page or contact us directly to discuss availability and pricing.
Little Starlings is an Ofsted-registered nursery and is rated Good, in a September 2025 review. We are proud of our experienced team and strong safeguarding standards.
Availability changes throughout the year. The best way to check is to get in touch or book a visit, and we’ll talk you through current and upcoming spaces.
You can book a nursery tour directly through our website using the Book a Tour page, or contact us by phone or email to arrange a visit. We always recommend visiting in person so you can get a feel for the space and meet the team.
We're open term-time: Monday to Wednesday: 9:15am – 3:30pm, Thursday: 9:15am – 1:00pm. Extended hours may be available subject to availability.
Yes, you can choose mornings, afternoons, or a mix of both.
We’ll help you build a weekly routine that works for your family.
Children attend a minimum of 2 sessions per week.
Children follow a structured but flexible routine including free play, group activities, outdoor learning, creative exploration and quiet time. Our approach encourages independence, curiosity and confidence.
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, planning activities that support communication, physical development, personal growth and early learning skills in a nurturing environment.
We maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios in line with EYFS requirements to ensure children receive individual attention and support.
All children share one calm, nurturing space.
Younger children learn by watching and joining in, while older children build confidence by helping others.
It creates a more natural, family-like environment.
We take a calm, child-led approach.
Children usually start with short sessions (often around an hour), gradually building up as they feel more comfortable.
We gently support them in building trust, always reassuring them that parents come back, and working at their pace.
Settling typically takes around 1–2 weeks.
We use Tapestry to share weekly updates, photos and observations.
We also provide a more detailed update each term, along with regular conversations at drop-off and pick-up.
Yes, we have a dedicated outdoor garden space and children enjoy daily outdoor play, supporting physical development and wellbeing.
We encourage arts and crafts daily, alongside play-based learning, outdoor activities, and group time.
Yes, we organise termly outings such as trips to the theatre, fire station, or mud club.
We also regularly walk to the local library.
We provide healthy snacks mid-morning.
For lunch club, parents provide a healthy packed lunch.
Please bring:
a named coat
a water bottle
a change of spare clothes
If your child uses nappies, we ask parents to provide nappies and wipes.
Registration fee: £50
Deposit: £200 (refundable with notice)
Smocks for messy play: £30
Yes, all staff are DBS checked and first aid trained.
Our team is experienced, with most staff having been with us for over 10 years.
The best first step is to book a tour - it gives you a chance to see the nursery, meet the team and ask any questions before committing to anything. Once you have visited and you are happy to go ahead, our online application form takes just a few minutes. We will be in touch shortly after to confirm availability and next steps.
