Best Nurseries in Highgate/Primrose Hill/Hampstead- North London

[CatherineGH]

Hello,

I am currently 25 weeks pregnant with DS and have been told I am late to the party for finding him a nursery to start at age 2 (YIKES!). Apparently the best nurseries fill up years in advance. We live in highgate and I am looking for a really good nursery to prepare him for the 4+ and 7+ exams. In complete honesty, I am from NYC originally, so I don't know the school system well here, but from my research would like DS to go to grammar school if possible. Any advice on the best nurseries in North London would be massively appreciated.

Thank you kindly,
Catherine

You're not too late! Maybe for morning slot at Broadhurst. But not the other ones!

Check out

• Mulberry House
• Clowns
• Hampstead Hill School
• St Anthony's now has a nursery
• Annemount
• The Avenue Pre Prep

That said, all those usually feed to private pre-preps or preps or private through schools to 18.

If your goal is state grammar school (all grammar schools are state), you don't need to go to a prep-prep as they usually prepare for private schools, not for the exams for state grammars generally.

we moved to that area with 2 year old DD, rocked up to the nearest nursery to the house and got a place. It was not a super-pushy prep nursery, but is it not good for kids to be pushed to do academic things that that age. And DD got into a v nice school and did just fine.

So don't stress. Just phone up nurseries and ask.

Also, if they say they have a waiting list, don't worry. lots of people go on the waiting list for 3 or 4 nurseries but then leave London or pick a different option before the start date so lists move up fast.

For schools, look up the Good Schools Guide (get a 1 months subscription) and start planning.

parietal, quite interested about your choice- where did you end up?
We are relocating to the area end of December with 2 girls (2y, 8 months) and I can't for the life of me line up a decent flat close to a nursery that would accept both or failing that, a nursery and a childminder!

Thank you so much everyone for your advice, I really appreciate it! I've been checking out some of these nurseries and they look great. Quite the process this!

At least you're on it early! Afaik the only ones that will take an application prior to birth are Mulberry House and Broadhurst School. Both good but insane that you need to apply pre birth...

Hi there @CatherineGH,

Moved to Highgate a few weeks ago (top of Swains Lane), also originally from US (Chicago). Also in the process of picking a nursery for our son to start at 1 year old.

We’re very close in due dates - expecting baby boy next week, January 12th. If you’d be up for a neighborhood coffee or chat let me know!

@IlinaS congrats on your move and on your baby! Would be happy to meet for a coffee/ chat sometime about nurseries. We also need to be looking for reception and applying (our version of kindergarten) I’m told. Depends if you want to go private or state. Let me know when would be a good time as I’m sure you have a lot going on at the moment.

Hi OP, I'm a local mum too, we applied to Mulberry House and the Clowns 2 weeks after our daughters were born.
We got an offer from Mulberry House around a month later (after having attended an open door evening). The Clowns got in touch 9 months later but we've already confirmed MHS.