“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.”
Nursery in Balham
A warm, nurturing nursery in Balham where children feel safe, settled and excited to learn.
A term-time nursery for ages 16 months to 5 years, where children grow together in one shared space, with flexible sessions that fit around your week.
48 Endlesham Rd, Balham, London07803 324821Open: Mon-Wed | 9:15am-3:30pm and Thu | 9:15am-1:00pmOfsted Rated Good 5.0 from 18 parent reviewsAges 16 months to 5 years
- Age range16 months to 5 years
- Opening hoursMon-Wed | 9:15am-3:30pm Thu | 9:15am-1:00pm
- Government fundingAccepted
Ofsted Rated Good
What local parents say
Nothing tells you more about a nursery than the families who are already there.
“The most wonderful nursery - we couldn't be happier with it! Lisa and her team are everything you would want for your child: incredibly nurturing, creative and fun, all in a large indoor and outdoor space that is run with such professionalism and love.”
“My daughter absolutely loved her sessions at Little Starlings! The teachers are all fab, so caring and fun — and she always came home with some gorgeous artwork and raving about what a great time she'd had in the garden. Couldn't recommend Little Starlings more!”
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?
What makes us, us
Three things families tell us they love
Most nurseries have the same checklist. Here’s what actually makes the difference day to day.
Experienced staff who truly know your child
Every child has a dedicated key person from day one. They get to know your child properly, their routines, their personality, what helps them settle and thrive. They keep you updated, support development, and are your go-to person. It’s personal, consistent care. The kind that makes leaving your child feel easy.
A calm, mixed-age space where children grow together
All children share one space, creating a more natural, home-like environment. Older children develop confidence and care for others. Younger ones learn quickly by watching and joining in. It’s not overly structured or split into rooms. it’s calm, nurturing, and feels like real life.
Flexible care that fits around real life
Not every family needs the same routine. We offer mornings, afternoons, or a mix of both and we’re happy to adapt as your needs change. No rigid patterns. No unnecessary stress. Just childcare that works around your life.
Our settling in guarantee
We run a 10-day calm start programme to give every child a structured, gentle transition into nursery life.
Defined stages, regular, and a built-in guarantee. If your child is not settled by day 10, we extend at no extra cost.
Fully settled in 10 daysDay in the life
A typical day
No surprises
Fees & sessions
Full Day (9:15am - 3:30pm)£75.00per session
Morning (9:15am - 12:15pm)£37.00per session
Lunch Club (12.15pm - 1pm)£8.00per session
Afternoon (1pm - 3:30pm)£30.00per session
In many cases, Government funding means you can receive childcare with Little Starlings for free. To discuss your options, book a tour and we'd be happy to guide you through the funding process.
View the full fee schedule as well as how we manage government funding and onboarding.
A little gift from us
Nursery Readiness Checklist
Everything you need to know before your child's first day. From what to pack to how the settling-in process works.
Ofsted registered, inspected, and rated Good
Independently inspected so you do not have to take our word for it.
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.
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.
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.
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.