Business Details
12 Years
experience
Montessori Nursery School in Notting Hill
Established in 2014 by experienced educator Fia Russell-Cobb, Pangbourne House is a Montessori nursery school dedicated to nurturing children's natural curiosity and individual development. Our approach combines Maria Montessori's child-centred philosophy with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, creating an environment where children learn through exploration and creative play. With a team of passionate professionals, we prioritise building confidence, empathy, and a lifelong love of learning through our unique three-principle caring code. Our curriculum extends beyond academic preparation to cultivate emotional intelligence, social awareness, and environmental appreciation.The nursery's physical space and teaching methodology are specifically designed to mirror home environments, ensuring children feel secure while developing independence. Through continuous observation and tailored support, we help each child progress at their own pace while maintaining strong partnerships with families. Our outstanding Ofsted ratings reflect our commitment to excellence in early years education and our ability to prepare children for future academic and personal success.
Services
Montessori Nursery
Creative Art Room
Pre-Pangbourne Programme
Little Pangbourne Stay & Play
Art Start Sessions
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of Montessori expertise through our founding team
- Our curriculum combines Montessori principles with creative learning spaces
- We provide individualised learning pathways through continuous observation
- Our staff maintain a 1:4 adult-child ratio for personalised attention
- We have outstanding Ofsted ratings since 2018
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Exceptional care
Nurturing environment
Outstanding teachers
Love of learning
Individual attention
Services
Montessori Nursery
Our Montessori nursery programme follows Maria Montessori's child-centred philosophy, using specially designed materials and child-sized furniture to encourage independent learning. Teachers observe each child's development to introduce appropriate activities that build confidence and practical skills. The environment promotes self-directed exploration while maintaining structured learning outcomes.
Creative Art Room
The Creative Art Room develops imagination through hands-on artistic experiences that foster empathy and environmental awareness. Children engage in creative play that builds communication skills and problem-solving abilities while exploring various artistic mediums. This space complements Montessori principles with open-ended creative expression.
Pre-Pangbourne Programme
This introductory programme helps children transition smoothly into nursery through gradual familiarisation sessions. Parents and children visit together to build confidence before official start dates, allowing teachers to understand each child's unique needs and establish trust through gentle, personalised introductions to the nursery environment.
Little Pangbourne Stay & Play
Weekly sessions for children aged 6 months to 2 years that develop social skills through guided play activities. These sessions focus on building communication abilities and social awareness while introducing Montessori principles to younger children through sensory exploration and creative play experiences.
Art Start Sessions
Friday art activities for children aged 18 months and above that develop fine motor skills and creative thinking. These sessions use Montessori-aligned materials to encourage artistic expression while building concentration and coordination through structured yet imaginative art projects.
People
Fia Russell-Cobb
Headmistress
With 30 years' experience in Montessori education, Fia founded Pangbourne House in 2014 after leading Ladbroke Square Montessori School. She specialises in combining Montessori principles with creative learning to develop children's confidence and environmental awareness.
Ana Aranha
Deputy Head
Ana oversees daily operations and administration at Pangbourne House. With extensive Montessori experience, she ensures the nursery maintains its high standards of care and educational excellence while supporting staff and families.
Olivia Hoare
Teaching Team
Olivia contributes to the nursery's educational programmes with her expertise in child development. She works directly with children to implement Montessori methods while fostering creativity and social awareness through practical learning experiences.
Questions
What age children do you accept?
We accept children from 2½ years old through our Pre-Pangbourne Programme, with full nursery places available for 2-5 year olds.
What curriculum do you follow?
We combine Montessori principles with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, enhanced by our unique Creative Art Room programme.
Can we visit before starting?
Yes, we offer introductory visits to help children settle in. These sessions allow parents and children to experience our environment together.
What are your Ofsted ratings?
We have maintained 'Outstanding' ratings in both our 2018 and 2024 Ofsted inspections.
Do you offer part-time places?
We offer flexible booking options including full-time and part-time nursery places, plus our Little Pangbourne Stay & Play sessions.
How do you support transition to school?
Our Montessori approach develops independence, concentration and social skills that prepare children for smooth transitions to primary school environments.
