“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.”
48 Endlesham Road, SW12 8JL
Nursery in Balham
Little Starlings is a term-time nursery on Endlesham Road in Balham, just off Nightingale Lane and around the corner from Balham Waitrose, a short walk from Balham station. We welcome children aged 16 months to 5 years from across Balham, Tooting, Clapham South and Streatham. Our flexible sessions run Monday to Thursday and are designed to fit around your family's week.
Why families choose us
Little Starlings is set up more like a family home than a conventional nursery. All age groups share the same space - a 16-month-old learns alongside a child who is almost ready for school, and that mix is deliberate. Younger children pick up from older ones; older children build confidence by looking out for younger ones. It creates something closer to how siblings grow up together than the siloed room structure most nurseries use. Parents often describe it as feeling like an extension of home, and that is exactly the intention.
Before your child's first day, the principal Lisa calls you personally to understand their routine, what settles them, and what they find difficult. That information shapes their first few days so nothing feels unfamiliar from the start. Most of the staff have been at Little Starlings for more than ten years, so the faces children see on day one are the same ones they see every week. The nursery also runs a structured 10-day settling programme with a simple guarantee: if your child is not settled by day 10, extra sessions are added at no extra cost. Both 15-hour and 30-hour funded places are accepted for eligible families.
Sessions run Monday to Thursday (starting Friday sessions from September), term-time only, which suits families who want consistent care rather than a patchwork of different arrangements across the week. Because the same group of children comes back each term, friendships form quickly and the nursery develops a genuine community feel. Book a show-around and come and see it for yourself.
Address
48 Endlesham Road, SW12 8JL
Phone
07803 324821Opening hours
Mon-Wed | 9:15am-3:30pm Thu | 9:15am-1:00pm
Ages
16 months to 5 years
Ofsted
Rated Good
Funding
15 & 30 hours government funding accepted
Getting here
Little Starlings is on Endlesham Road, a short walk from Balham station (Northern line, City branch). From Balham station it takes about eight minutes on foot, turning left off Balham High Road onto Nightingale Lane. Families from Clapham South can walk in around twelve minutes, and several families come from Tooting by tube or along Tooting Bec Road. There is also direct bus access on the 249 and 355 routes.
We also serve families from
TootingClapham SouthStreathamWandsworthClapham
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?
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.
Ofsted registered, inspected, and rated Good
Independently inspected so you do not have to take our word for it.