“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.”
Our Balham nursery
A warm, nurturing nursery in Balham where children feel safe, settled and excited to learn.
A term-time nursery for ages 16 months to 5 years, where children grow together in one shared space, with flexible sessions that fit around your week.
- Age range16 months to 5 years
- Opening hoursMon-Wed | 9:15am-3:30pm Thu | 9:15am-1:00pm
- Government fundingAccepted
Find us
Visit our nursery
Address
48 Endlesham Road, London, SW12 8JL
Phone
07803 324821Opening hours
Mon-Wed | 9:15am-3:30pm Thu | 9:15am-1:00pm
Age range
16 months to 5 years
Ofsted registered, inspected, and rated Good
Independently inspected so you do not have to take our word for it.
Ofsted Rated Good
What local parents say
Nothing tells you more about a nursery than the families who are already there.
“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
Come and see us for yourself
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.
Not ready yet?
Day in the life
A typical day
No surprises
Fees & sessions
Ad-hoc
per session
Full Day (9:15am - 3:30pm)
£75.00
Morning (9:15am - 12:15pm)
£37.00
Lunch Club (12.15pm - 1pm)
£8.00
Afternoon (1pm - 3:30pm)
£30.00
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
Fees, Funding & What’s Included⌄
Funding & Additional Services
We offer government-funded early education places in line with current guidance. Your funded hours can be accessed on their own, with no requirement to take up any additional services.
Funded hours are designed to cover basic early education and childcare provision. At Little Starlings, we aim to offer a more rounded, nurturing experience across the day, with additional activities, resources, and care that go beyond this.
Most families choose to opt into our Enhanced Provision Package, which supports a richer, more complete nursery experience.
This package is charged at £17 per day and includes:
- Lunch club (12:15pm – 1:00pm, 45 minutes of supervised care)
- Healthy snacks
- Nappies and wipes
- Music sessions delivered during nursery hours
- Weekly gardening club
- End of term written reports
- Access to our online learning journey platform (Tapestry)
- Additional creative and learning resources used throughout the day
The package is entirely optional and does not affect your child’s access to their funded hours.
We’ll always talk you through how everything works during your visit, so it feels clear and manageable from the start.
Late collection
We understand that delays can happen. If you’re running late, just give us a quick call and we’ll make sure your child is settled and cared for until you arrive. We’ll always keep you updated if they need anything while they wait.
Late collection applies to both morning and afternoon sessions, and fees are charged after your scheduled pick-up time.
A fee of £10 per 15 minutes (or part thereof) will apply, so even a short delay falls within the first 15-minute period. This helps us fairly support the team members who stay with your child beyond their session time.
Things parents ask us
Common questions
Common 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.
Sessions & routine
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.
Your child's experience
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.
Daily life at nursery
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.
Practical Details
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.