One of Kew's most beloved childcare facilities is facing the threat of closure by the end of this academic term. Riverside Kew Montessori is truly the last nursery of its kind in the area.

Montessori has become the first choice for many parents around the world. It nurtures independence through a combination of play and purpose, a method many studies have found to help establish long-term happiness, confidence and success later in life. At Kew Montessori, every member of staff embodies the core Montessori values. As both experienced mums themselves and Montessori-trained professionals, they've created a safe space for young children to thrive and establish life-long skills through hands-on learning and play. Located right in the heart of Kew village, it’s become a second home to numerous children over the years.  

Sadly, Riverside Nursery Schools, the parent company, have announced closure of our beloved nursery by the end of the current academic term. The reason, they claim, is a declining demand in term-based nurseries in the area, but publicly available data proves the contrary. In fact, the evidence supports both parents and children are happy with the services and many are actively seeking the option of shorter hours and days. 

Riverside furthermore claims complications with an extension of the lease also factored into their decision. This too has been proven incorrect as confirmed by the landlord personally. 

The announcement of the closure has been made without any warning to parents or staff. Some children have been with Kew Montessori as little as 2 weeks when the decision was announced, leaving many families completely blindsided and scrambling for new nurseries and life arrangements. The future of the staff is uncertain in a time of cost of living prices skyrocketing in the UK. 
Shutting down the nursery without engaging with the parents and staff to consider alternatives and viable solutions is unfair, dismissive of the community's needs and members of staff, and most of all, disregards the children's wellbeing. Our children need and deserve stability in their daily routines and attachments for a healthy and happy development.  

Please support our cause. We are calling on the parent company to engage in meaningful dialogue with parents and staff to explore and re-evaluate feasible solutions to keep the nursery open. 

Below you can read what some of the parents think about Kew Montessori.

"When our son first started attending Kew Montessori he was extremely shy and struggled to express himself. Within just a few weeks he had a massive language explosion and started formulating coherent sentences that he clearly did not know before. He also now initiates playing with other children and looks forward to going to nursery every day, all thanks to the outstanding work the whole team provides."

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"The whole team has been a truly brilliant experience for our family. Our 4-year-old son, who is naturally shy and sensitive, has absolutely flourished in their care. The nurturing environment and thoughtful approach have helped him come out of his shell, all while embracing and respecting his gentle nature. He now approaches new experiences with confidence and a quiet joy and he is so proud of his achievements every day at pick up."

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"We settled our bold and spirited 2-year-old daughter into the nursery. The team has done a remarkable job of guiding her to share, take turns, and playing well with others—without ever dimming her vibrant personality. They've struck a perfect balance between structure and freedom, allowing her to grow while staying true to who she is."

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"The staff are consistently warm, supportive, and deeply attentive to each child's individual needs. We’re incredibly grateful to have found a place where both of our children are not only cared for, but genuinely understood and encouraged to thrive."

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"We are very grateful for all the excellent support and care to our daughter from the Kew Montessori team. She is so happy going to nursery in the mornings and when she comes out she is always excited to share with us what lovely activities that she has done at the nursery. We also find the flexibility to book half days very helpful, as we do not need full day care for some days."

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"I don’t think it is possible for me to put into words how amazing I think the Kew Montessori team are. 
My daughter was there for 2 years from 2022 and they were the first people we ever trusted to look after her.  She was incredibly happy, they supported her & cared for her like she was their own.  There was no question that my son would then join when he turned two and has been there for a year now. He has been happy there since day one. He is extremely sensitive to change and I am so worried about how moving nursery is going to affect him. He has begun making friends and is genuinely so happy to go to nursery everyday. His key worker, Susanne is nothing short of amazing. They all have so much fun together and to see his development grow in the past year has been amazing to watch.
Whenever I take my daughter to pick up my son, they are so happy to see her, it’s a reaction you can’t fake. 
To see them close would be nothing short of a travesty."

Thank you for reading. And please don't forget to sign and share the petition with your friends and community.