Woodentots Nature Babies offers a bespoke day nursery for up to 18 babies,
from 3 months to 2 years 4 months.
The nursery is open Monday – Friday from 8 am – 6 pm, 50 weeks of the year.
See our term dates for the full picture.
About Us
Woodentots Nature Babies in Bowes Park was taken over by Asha and Rupa (head here to meet Asha and Rupa) in 2021. The perfect home-from-home for your baby to start their Montessori journey.
We always wanted to offer something distinctly different to the conventional day nurseries offer for babies. So we've created a homely, nurturing environment to prepare your babies for the next stage of childcare.
The sustainability-focused ethos at Woodentots Nature Babies aligns perfectly with Woodland Wanderers’ pre-school values, providing the continuity of holistic childcare for children from 3 months right all the way through to 5 years.
What's on offer
1
Our beautiful Woodentots Nature Babies classroom is expertly designed for babies from 3 months up to 2 years 4 months, when they will be ready to progress to our Woodland Wanderers pre-school setting. The environment has been fully thoughtout to offer a natural sensory experience. The babies are at home in a calm and cosy environment which echoes a comforting ‘womb-like’ atmosphere - nourishing and enriching in equal measure.
2
Beautiful wooden toys and materials are carefully chosen for heuristic play. Following the Montessori philosophy “help me to do it alone”, low-level shelves are arranged with “treasure baskets” to develop sensory awareness, strengthen cognitive development and promote independence. Imagination and creativity are supported through free play with simple toys and natural materials.
3
Our Candle time is a daily ‘ritual’ which the children grow to be so fond of, involving singing and circle time just before lunch.
Outdoors – every day - come rain or shine - we will go out and about in our “turtle bus” (our snazzy pushchair for six babies) to access nature in our own garden. Here, through child-led exploration, our babies can watch, listen, touch and smell nature for a wonderful outdoor sensory session.
Inspired by Montessori, Inspired by Steiner, Inspired by Nature.
Once our babies have had sufficient time to explore the three prime areas (personal, social and emotional development; communication and language; and physical development) they move to our pre-school, Woodland Wanderers. Our babies naturally move onto the pre-school setting at the age of 2 years 4 months.
Here, our little nature wanderers get to immerse themselves in a uniquely blended forest school, Montessori and sustainability curriculum. Our beautifully hand-curated Steiner Treehouse has been built inside our setting to bring the outside into our pre-school. Come and see what all the fuss is all about here…
Music
Our children are energised by our weekly ‘Bilingual Beats’ sessions - a Spanish teacher and guitarist liven up the morning, bringing an immersive combination of expressive arts and language learning.
Movement
Yoga and expressive movement
Cooking
Organic bread making
Sensory exploration
Including our Tasty Tuesdays where we introduce and further explore different flavours for those tiny taste buds
Creativity
Salt dough and exploratory clay, watercolours
Tennis
Those who are able to walk the short distance to the tennis club in Bowes Park benefit from small group tennis lessons together with our pre-schoolers from Woodland Wanderers.
Food
We believe in nourishing the whole child - from the inside out. The saying ‘you are what you eat’ has never held truer than it does with us!
We are a vegetarian nursery and this was a choice we made in line with our respect and care for the environment and all living things, which is central to everything we do.
We are able to cater for dietary requirements so don’t hesitate to discuss this with us when you come and visit.
Freshly prepared meals will be provided by our cook; where possible the ingredients will be organic and we offer both purees and baby led weaning. We will be guided by you, as parents, in how you would like us to support this. We provide breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch, afternoon snacks and supper. Meals are shared together around a low-level table to encourage social skills.
Typical meals
Breakfast
Various porridges
(semolina, buckwheat, oats), sourdough crumpets, wholemeal toast with seed butter, organic cereals.
Snacks
Handheld munchies suitable for when we are out and about, cooked sticks like carrots, sweet potato, courgette and raw chunks such as banana, apple and melon.
Lunch
Vegetable pies, bean curries, savoury muffins, spelt pasta or tofu followed by chunks of fruit, yoghurt with berry compote or quinoa pots.
Tea
wholesome cooked food such as avocado sandwiches, sweet potato wedges and vegetable soups followed by yoghurt, chia pudding and fruit.
Baby Led Weaning
Quite simply, means letting your child feed themselves from the very start of weaning. According to the most recent research, most babies reach out for food at around six months old. By then, our children are developmentally capable of feeding themselves with proper food.
Bottles and formula milk to be provided by the parents.
Nappies & wipes
Nappies – at Woodentots we use eco-friendly nappies and wipes which will be provided. Parents can bring their own nappies/wipes/creams if they prefer.
Changing nappies whilst out and about – we take out a kit including a pop-up nappy changing tent and portable change mat for alfresco changing.
Rhythm of the Day
(combined with sleep)
We will be led by your baby’s natural rhythm for nap times.
Our sleep coracles offer freedom for the babies to crawl in and out for a nap as they feel ready to. We will also help with following their natural rhythms, settling them down for a nap with their own blankets and soothers. Our tranquil nap room is kept at a comfortable temperature, meditation music, and slightly darkened to promote a peaceful nap time. Babies are always put on their backs and a staff member is in the room to monitor them.
Some babies may want to nap whilst we are out and about. The “turtle bus” has reclining seats for naps on the move. Sleeping outdoors is also believed to improve overall health.
Useful information
Follow Us #naturebabiesbowespark
Contact Us
Address
Woodentots Montessori Nature Babies
128 Myddleton Road
N22 8NQ
London
Contact
07356 073155
@naturebabiesbowespark
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri
8:00 am – 6:00 pm