“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
If you're based in Balham and juggling the school run with work, you'll know how important it is to find childcare that actually fits your life. Little Starlings is just a short distance away on Endlesham Road in Wandsworth, close enough that drop-offs don't feel like a trek. We offer flexible hours, accepted government funding, and a calm space where your child genuinely settles and stays settled. Come and see how we do things.
Why families choose us
Our approach
What makes Little Starlings different is how ordinary it feels. All the children share one calm space together, which means the younger ones watch and learn from the older ones, and the older ones develop real confidence and care for others. There's no split into separate rooms or overly structured timetables. It's the kind of environment children feel at home in from day one, because every child has one dedicated key person who knows them properly and keeps things consistent.
In practice
We're an Ofsted rated Good nursery with experienced staff who stay. Most of our team have been here for ten years or more, which means your child sees the same familiar faces each day. We accept both 15 and 30 hours government funding, and we're genuinely flexible about how you use your care, whether that's mornings, afternoons, or a mix. Our settling approach takes a bit longer than most places, but it works. We add extra sessions at no cost if your child needs a gentler start, and we communicate honestly about everything that happens during the day.
For families in Balham
Balham parents often choose us because we're local enough to be convenient but far enough from the chaos of central Wandsworth. Families here tend to value consistency and calm over fancy facilities, and that's exactly what we offer. You're not paying for extra rooms or unnecessary extras. You're paying for experienced people who know your child and a settled environment where they can actually grow.
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
Balham is well connected to us via bus and the Northern Line. Many families use the 77 or 345 bus to get towards Endlesham Road, or walk via Balham High Road and Tooting Bec Road. Clapham South tube station is also nearby if that's your route, and from there it's about a 15 minute walk along quieter streets to the nursery.
We also serve families from
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
Most families from Balham walk down via Chestnut Grove or Nightingale Lane. We're also on the 155, 249 or 315 bus routes. Some parents drive and park on Endlesham Road or Oldridge Road. We're close enough to Balham High Street that it doesn't add much to your commute, and the location works well for families coming from that direction. It's definitely accessible without needing a major detour.
Yes, we accept both. The 15 hours covers mornings or a mix of sessions, and 30 hours gives you more flexibility across the week. When you book a visit, we can walk through exactly how it works with your childcare plan and discuss which sessions suit your family best. You can check your eligibility on the Wandsworth Family Information Service. Funding is paid directly to us, so there's no admin burden on you.
We take children from 16 months through to age 5. SW12 is a popular area for young families so spaces for babies and toddlers do fill up quickly, particularly for September starts. It's worth getting in touch early if you know you'll need a place, as waiting lists fill up depending on the season and which sessions you need. When you visit, we can check availability and give you a realistic sense of timing for your child's start date.
Ofsted rates nurseries across Balham and the wider SW12 area on the same criteria, so Good puts us among the well-regarded settings in the borough. You can see our full Ofsted report on our website. In practice, it means we're consistently meeting the standards for child safety, development and staff practice. But what matters more is what you see when you visit, our staff turnover (most have been with us for 10 years or more), and how we communicate with parents if anything ever goes wrong, which we do immediately and honestly.
We're closest to Balham Station on the Northern line and Overground, about a 7 minute walk. Clapham South is 10-15 minutes on foot. Most of our families commute into the City or Victoria and find the location sits neatly on the way. If you're driving, there's street parking nearby.
A lot of our families are first-time nursery parents in Balham, so we're used to supporting parents through the process as much as the children. We do a calm start over the first couple of weeks rather than rushing it. Your child builds trust with their key person gradually, and we help them feel comfortable with the rhythm of the day. If your child needs a bit longer, we add extra settling sessions at no extra cost and adjust things together. It's one of the things we do differently, and it makes a real difference to how smoothly children settle.
Ofsted registered, inspected, and rated Good
Independently inspected so you do not have to take our word for it.