about us
Ethos & Vision
Hotwells Children’s House is a high quality, inclusive nursery and preschool that follows a modern and flexible Montessori pedagogy. We place children at the heart of our provision, offering them a rich and ambitious curriculum. We offer a relationships based approach, and believe that connection, trust and respect create a harmonious community.
Children’s emotional wellbeing is at the heart of our practice – our recent Ofsted inspection at the setting we managed until its closure, due to the owner's retirement in July 2024 stated: ‘A sharp focus on children's emotional well-being is apparent from the moment they walk through the setting door. The emphasis on secure attachments and meaningful relationships with each child is highly evident.’
What we offer
We offer spaces for children aged two to five years old, and are open from Monday to Thursday, term time only. Primarily we intake children in September, with eight spaces for two year olds attending half days in the morning, and 16 spaces for three and four year olds attending full days each day. Please see our Admissions Policy for full details about admissions.
team
Who we are
We will have a dedicated and highly experienced staff team, the majority of whom are either Montessori qualified or qualified teachers, or both. The two leaders of the setting work directly with the children and will often host students to share our practice.
Sarah
Founder
Integrating Montessori Practice (IMP), National Award for Special Educational Needs & Development Coordination (NASENDCO), PGCE, BA (Hons)
Erin
Founder
MA Early Childhood Studies, Early Years Teacher Status, Montessori Diploma, BA (Hons)
Jackie
Montessori Teacher
Montessori Diploma, PGCE, BSc (Hons)
Karen
Montessori Teacher
MA in Education (in progress), Early Years Teacher Status, Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy, BA (Hons)
Onelia
Montessori Teacher
Level 4 Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy, MA in Design Engineering
Our venue
Where we call home
We are delighted to lease a premises from the wonderful Hotwells Primary School. We are in a light and bright purpose designed space, with dedicated curriculum areas and rich resources. We have access to all of the wonderful outdoor spaces at Hotwells Primary School. This includes a purpose designed early years outdoor area, a larger woodland area and an AstroTurf pitch. We also offer regular visits to the school library, where children can sit and look at a broad range of picture books. Whilst attending Hotwells Children’s House, children get to experience snippets of life in a nurturing primary school.
Testimonials
What is your favourite thing about HCH?
‘The teachers who make it the most wonderful, calm, supportive, fun and engaging environment. A speaks so warmly of each teacher, with lovely anecdotes about her day and how she was helped with any issue from feeling sad to putting on sunscreen and brushing teeth. We really appreciate all the hard work and consideration that goes in behind (and in front of) the scenes!’
‘The staff team. Everyone is so lovely, kind, experienced and I really get the impression that you all love your job and love being with the children. I feel like they knew my little boy from very early on- noticing his interests. They were amazing during settling in process, allowing it to follow not only my son’s needs but mine as well. I feel they really make an effort to get to know not only the child but the family- little things like knowing our names from very early on.’
‘The staff - so passionate, nurturing, consistent and knowledgeable - really supported our child with playing with other children and being proud of their heritage, which contributed to a noticeable increase in confidence.’