About Us
At The Nest, your child’s creativity is at the heart of everything we do. Join us, and watch your child grow, play, and imagine in a place where they truly belong.
Our Story
We believe that creativity, imagination, and play are the foundations for lifelong learning.
Located in the heart of Longfield Hall, a beautiful Grade II listed building, we’ve been part of the community since 1992, over 30 years. As a Community Interest Company we are a parent-run, not-for-profit school, deeply rooted in our mission to provide a nurturing and inspiring environment where children can thrive.
The Nest is not only a preschool, it’s a community. Here, lifelong friendships are formed.
In a small, enchanted corner of Longfield Hall we are founded by parents, for parents to offer a unique, homely atmosphere where children feel secure, valued, and free to explore. Our curriculum blends play-based learning with art-led experiences that fuel curiosity and encourage self-expression. We offer a wide range of enriching activities all designed to engage young minds and foster confidence, social skills, and emotional growth.
A space for discovery, exploration and adventure to become lifelong learners.
Our secure gardens provide space for exploration, and nearby Myatts Field Park is a natural extension for discovery and adventure. Our experienced, professionally qualified teaching staff are dedicated to creating a calm, supportive environment where children’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development is nurtured. We help children build confidence and curiosity to become lifelong learners and form lifelong friendships.
Our Approach to Arts-Based Learning
A Place for Creativity and Curiosity
At The Nest Pre-School, we believe that creativity is at the heart of everything we do. Our arts-based approach to learning inspires curiosity, self-expression, and a love of discovery, to set the foundation for lifelong learning. By integrating music, drama, visual arts, and imaginative play into our everyday activities, we offer a warm and welcoming space where children can explore, create, and grow with confidence.
Why Arts-Based Learning Matters
Engaging with the arts helps children develop essential skills in a fun and exciting way. Through creative activities like painting, music, and storytelling, children learn to express themselves, solve problems, and build strong social connections. Arts-based learning nurtures their imagination and emotional development while giving them the freedom to explore their ideas and understand the world around them.
At The Nest, we see creativity as a powerful tool that helps children develop curiosity and a sense of wonder. The arts encourage children to think independently, collaborate with others, and build confidence—all while having fun. We believe that by making art and creativity a central part of their learning experience, we are helping children become open to new ideas and ready to take on challenges.
Our Awards & Certifications
At The Nest Pre-School, we are proud to meet high standards of care and education, supported by our accreditations and professional qualifications. As a not-for-profit, parent-run organisation, we hold Community Interest Company (CIC) accreditation, emphasizing our dedication to serving families and the community. We are Ofsted-registered, reflecting our commitment to excellence in early years education. Our team includes certified Early Years Practitioners, a trained yoga teacher, a ceramist, and educators with qualifications such as Level 3 Youth Training and a Master of Arts (MA).
Ofsted accredited, URN: 2642872
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Community Interest Company (CIC) accreditation
This means we operate for the benefit of the community. We are a not-for-profit, run for families and by families. We are an accredited Living Wage employer.
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Ofsted Early Years Registered
We are Early Years Registered, mandatory for all nurseries caring for children from birth to their fifth birthday. We continuously meet and exceed all the safeguarding, welfare, learning and development for the Statutory requirements of the Early Years foundation stage.
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Natural Thinkers
A programme designed to connect young children with nature, by ensuring all children have access to a natural outdoor area. At The Nest we recognise the importance and benefits of outdoor learning. We use the space to support the development of children’s natural curiosity, scientific exploration and their imagination.
Meet Our Passionate Team
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Juliet Williams
Co-DIRECTOR & HEAD TEACHER
After completing a Post-Graduate certificate in Painting at The Royal Academy School in London, Juliet went on to study and practice fine art, she trained at The Institute of Education London as a Secondary Teacher in Art & Design. Juliet has been the dedicated and compassionate Head Teacher of The Nest since 1999, SENCO Lead, first-aider, key worker, and the Designated Child Protection Officer.
Hobbies: Portrait painting and gardening
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Sarah Williams
TEACHER; CERAMICS, ART & DRAMA
Sarah has been a nursery teacher for more than 4 decades, attaining an NNEB in 1981. Sarah is a practising ceramicist at The North Street Clapham Pottery Collective and has developed the ceramics curriculum at The Nest. She has attained City and Guilds in Ceramics part 1, 2, and 3. Sarah has been with The Nest since 1999.
Hobbies: Ceramics, gardening, wildlife, painting
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Angela Miniscalo
TEACHER; YOGA & ITALIAN
Angela is qualified in OCN Education & Training, Yoga training and has a Fine Arts Degree. She uses this background to do activities with the children during the weekly curriculum. Italian classes are taught by Angela, where she is skilled in teaching the children, in the classes she will speak only in Italian, at an age when they are especially receptive to new languages.
Hobbies: Painting, reading and swimming
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Lisa Romano
EARLY YEARS LEVEL 2 APPRENTICE: ITALIAN & COOKING
Lisa joined us in early 2024 with a Level 2, and is currently working on completing her apprenticeship in Level 3 Childcare. Lisa shares her passion for cooking and food with the children. Lisa is also our Italian (and Spanish) teacher, having moved to London from Naples over 15 years ago.
Hobbies: Cooking and making beautifully decorated cakes
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Natasha Shallows
EARLY YEARS LEVEL 3 APPRENTICE
Natasha has recently joined as our Early Years Apprentice in Childcare. She’s full of enthusiasm and loves learning more about early years education. As a parent of a child attending The Nest, she was encouraged to join the team to follow her passion for teaching and inspiring young children. Her kind and fun-loving nature has been welcomed by the team and children.
Hobbies: Arts and crafts, dancing, singing
Testimonials from Our Parents
“I cannot recommend The Nest Pre-School highly enough! From the moment I chose this nursery for my daughter, I knew I had made the right decision. Under the incredible leadership of Juliet, the environment here feels like a nurturing family rather than just a nursery.
Every staff member is dedicated to providing exceptional care and fostering a love for learning. The emphasis on exploration and curiosity is evident in their approach, which encourages children to learn through play. The diverse curriculum—including art, cooking, languages, forest school, drama, etc—ensures that children have a well-rounded experience. Each week is filled with activities that balance education and playmaking, and most importantly, I know my daughter is genuinely happy here.
I also appreciate the small class sizes, which allows for a more personal touch. There’s a real sense of community, and it’s clear that everyone genuinely knows and cares about each child’s development. The daily communication with both the staff and Juliet keeps us informed and fosters a strong partnership in supporting our children's needs and learning styles.
Overall, this is the best choice I could have made for my daughter. The combination of a caring environment, innovative learning opportunities, and open communication makes it truly exceptional. I am so grateful to have found such a wonderful place!”
— Eleana P (Parent of Child), November 2024
“We’re so happy to have found this preschool. My daughter has settled in so well, the staff are amazing and my daughter is so so happy, they do amazing classes and the children perform shows, it truly is an amazing place and so happy to have found this amazing place for our daughter, she has made friends and has learned so much already every day coming home with amazing stories. Well done The Nest and thank you.”
— Natasha S (Parent of Child), March 2024
“I just love The Nest. It’s a special place where the ethos is so wholly focused on not just the well-being of the child but the nurturing and fulfilment of them as a person going forward. They learn ceramics, yoga, Italian, drama, computing, and gardening: nothing is too big a topic or too much to take on. Children are completely hands-on with every project…The teachers are so warm, engaged, understanding and committed. They're just lovely, brilliant, ramshackle and chaotically excellent and I feel very lucky we found them and will be sending our third child there in the autumn. Thank you The Nest!”
— Lauren C (Parent of Child), March 2024
“A thoroughly nurturing environment and one where all the staff feel fully invested in giving the children the best possible experience. Staff are professional and it really feels like they have your child’s best interests at heart.”
— J C (Parent of Child) February, 2024
“I really appreciate the sense of community and support from all the staff working at Nest. My daughter has been attending there since the age of two and I am absolutely impressed with the way the staff work as a team, collectively, to ensure all the children are in safe hands and enjoying their time at nursery, whilst learning in a fun, interactive preschool environment. The Nest has always felt like a family from day one and I will always recommend it to friends and family”
— Cheyenne M (Parent of Child) December, 2024
