Frequently asked questions

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.