What age range do you accept?

Most Abacus Ark nurseries welcome children from 6 months to 5 years. Our Maida Vale nursery accepts children from 10 months to 5 years.

What curriculum do you follow?

We use the Abacus Ark Bespoke Curriculum, created with an independent former Ofsted inspector. It’s guided by our FIRST framework and five pedagogical principles to ensure children are school-ready by Reception.

Are you Ofsted registered?

Yes. All Abacus Ark nurseries are fully Ofsted registered.

How do I arrange a visit?

We offer personal tours with our Parent Experience Manager or Nursery Manager. Book via our website enquiry form, by phone, by email, or through social media.

Is there availability right now?

Availability varies by nursery and age group. We also limit the number of new starters each month to ensure a quality settling-in process. If there’s no space, we’ll add you to the waiting list and keep you updated.

What are your nursery fees?

Fees vary by nursery and age group. See each nursery’s page for details.

Do you accept government funding?

Yes. We accept all eligible government funding schemes.

Do you offer sibling discounts?

Yes. We offer a sibling discount—please contact our admissions team for details.

Are meals, nappies, wipes and creams included?

Yes. Meals and daily essentials are included in your nursery fees.

What are your opening hours?

Most nurseries are open 7:30am–6:30pm. Maida Vale is open 8:00am–6:00pm.

How do you support children’s individual needs?

Our curriculum is designed to nurture each child individually through our five pedagogical principles.

Do you accommodate dietary requirements?

Yes. We partner with Lune & Wild to provide nutritious, organic meals and can cater for all dietary needs.

How do you share my child’s daily activities?

We use the Famly app to share photos and key information such as naps, meals, and daily activities.

How do I find out about my child’s development?

We post regular development updates in the Famly app and share spontaneous observations when they happen.

Do you also speak to me in person?

Yes. You’ll receive a face-to-face handover at drop-off and pick-up every day.

What happens if my child is ill or has an incident?

We will call you immediately and record all details in the Famly app.

How will I know about my child’s progress over time?

We hold regular parent–teacher meetings to discuss your child’s development.

Do you update parents on nursery news?

Yes. We send newsletters with updates and events.

Can I contact the nursery at other times?

Absolutely. You can call or message us whenever you have questions.

What is your staff-to-child ratio?

We meet or exceed statutory ratios: 1:3 for under-2s, 1:5 for ages 2–3, and 1:8 for ages 3–5.

How does the settling-in process work?

Across two weeks we gradually increase your child’s time with us. Parents stay initially, then nearby, before moving to full days.

How do you support the transition to school?

In the final year, children are grouped with their school cohort and we liaise with their new teachers to prepare them.

What happens if I need to change days or sessions?

Email us with your request. We’ll accommodate changes wherever possible, subject to availability and terms.

Parenting Through the Early Years

March 3, 2026
Blog

Parenting Through the Early Years: Calm, Practical Advice from Camilla McGill

The early years are full of magic, first friendships, new words, growing independence.

But they’re also full of questions.

Am I setting the right boundaries?
Should mornings feel this rushed?
How do I handle big emotions without making them bigger?

If you’ve ever asked yourself these things, please know, you are not alone. Parenting young children can feel overwhelming at times, and that is completely normal.

At Abacus Ark, we believe supporting parents is just as important as nurturing children. That’s why we’ve partnered with parenting expert Camilla McGill from @myparentingsolutions to share calm, practical guidance for families navigating the nursery years.

Camilla shares our belief that calm, consistent guidance helps children thrive and that parents deserve reassurance, not judgement.

Camilla invites any Abacus Ark parents to book a free 1 hour discovery call with her.

This is a warm, relaxed, judgement-free conversation where you can speak openly about any parenting ‘challenges’ you experience. During the call, Camilla will share insights specific to your situation and outline what support she can offer.

Discovery call with Camilla

In the short video below, Camilla offers practical advice on building routines, setting boundaries and supporting your child’s emotional development with confidence.

Small, Consistent Moments Matter

One of the key messages Camilla shares is that children thrive on consistency.

Simple, predictable routines, the same goodbye ritual, a familiar bedtime rhythm, a calm response to challenging moments, help young children feel secure and understood.

Children don’t need perfection. They need steady, loving guidance.

Boundaries Build Confidence

It’s easy to worry that setting boundaries might feel harsh. In reality, clear and calm boundaries help children feel safe.

When expectations are consistent and delivered with warmth, children learn what to expect and that predictability builds trust.

At Abacus Ark Nursery Schools, we mirror this approach through gentle structure, positive language and emotionally secure environments. When children experience similar approaches at home and nursery, it strengthens their sense of stability and belonging.

Supporting Big Emotions

Young children are still learning how to manage their feelings. Big reactions are a normal part of development, not a sign that something is wrong.

Camilla reminds parents that calm adults help create calm children over time. When we respond with patience and reassurance, we are teaching emotional regulation through example.

This is something we prioritise every day at Abacus Ark through our key person approach, nurturing communication, and emotionally secure environments, we work closely with families to support children through these moments. Together.

Working Together: Home and Nursery

We truly believe that nursery and home work hand in hand.

The small, consistent moments children experience in both environments build resilience, independence and emotional security.

Supporting working parents with reassurance, guidance and a sense of community is at the heart of what we do. We understand that when parents feel confident and supported, children flourish.

A Shared Commitment to Supporting Working Parents

Our collaboration with Camilla is part of a wider commitment to supporting working parents beyond the nursery day.

We understand that balancing work, family life and early years parenting can feel demanding. By bringing expert guidance into our community, we hope to bridge the gap between home and nursery, creating a shared language around routines, boundaries and emotional development.

Camilla has an excellent free guide, ‘How to get your kids to listen, without nagging or shouting’, using her G.R.E.A.T method. Grab it here.

When parents feel supported and confident, children flourish.

Gentle Guidance When You Need It

For more calm, practical parenting support, you can connect with Camilla McGill at @myparentingsolutions or visit her website.

And if you’d like to learn more about how we support both children and parents at Abacus Ark, we would love to welcome you into our community.

For more tips and tricks watch more videos at: YouTube

Enquire today: Link to enquiry page

Or email us at: [email protected]

We’re always pleased to share trusted resources that support you beyond the nursery day and strengthen the partnership between home and nursery. Together, we can create calm, confident foundations for your child’s early years.