The Kind Nest

Website Contact the school

The Kind Nest The Kind-nest is Montessori inspired education for three children at a time in an enriching and nuturing space in Ashingdon, Essex.

The play sessions are for children aged 1.5-5 years old.

There’s nothing more special than hearing how happy our little ones and their parents are with us! We’re so grateful for...
16/10/2026

There’s nothing more special than hearing how happy our little ones and their parents are with us!

We’re so grateful for such kind words and for the trust our families place in us. A huge thank you to this lovely family for taking the time to share their experience and for their continued trust in Lucy, Imogen and The Kind Nest. We put a lot of love into what we do & we are so thankful parents and children feel it too. 🫶

12/10/2026

Settling In at The Kind Nest

Children being without their parents is a big milestone for both children and their families, and we understand that it can bring a mixture of emotions.

At The Kind Nest, we don’t believe in a one size fits all approach to settling in. Every child is unique, every family is different, and every settling in journey deserves to be approached with patience, understanding and care.

Our aim is to build secure, trusting relationships with both children and their families, so that little ones feel safe, happy and excited to come to The Kind Nest.

Here’s how we support our families through settling in-

🫶 Settling in sessions We offer dedicated sessions to help children become familiar with our environment, the adults and the other children at their own pace.

🫶 Higher adult to child ratios- whilst the children settle in, we will have 1:2 adult to child ratio rather than 1:3. We want to be able to support each child fully.

🫶 Parents are welcome to stay – Initially, parents can stay alongside their child while they explore and become comfortable. We gently encourage parents to step back and allow us to care for, play with and engage with their little ones, helping those all important relationships begin to develop.

🫶 Leaving when your child feels ready – There is no pressure to rush the settling-in process. We gently work towards parents leaving when each child begins to feel safe, secure and comfortable in our care, always taking their individual needs into consideration. However, we also recognise that sometimes a parent’s presence can make separation more difficult for a child. If we feel that staying is causing more distress than reassurance, we will work closely with you to review our approach and agree on the best way forward for your child, always with their emotional wellbeing at the heart of every decision.

10/10/2026

Hello, we are Lucy & Imogen- two Early Years professionals, at the heart of every Kind Nest session.

And there’s a little bit of magic behind this partnership…

Imogen and I worked together in a Montessori pre-prep for 14 wonderful years, sharing a deep love for the Montessori ethos and its belief in respecting children as capable, curious and unique individuals.

Over those years, we discovered that we shared the same morals, values and beliefs about caring for and educating young children. We love creating nurturing spaces where children feel safe, confident and free to learn at their own pace.

Fast forward a few years… and somehow, like magic, our paths have crossed again — this time at The Kind Nest!

Both of us hold Early Years Professional Status (postgraduate degrees in Early Childhood), bringing years of experience, knowledge and a whole lot of passion to every session.

Imogen has already brought so many wonderful ideas, creativity, enthusiasm, knowledge and a whole new sprinkling of magic.

We’re both at every Kind Nest session, creating a familiar, nurturing environment where little ones can learn, explore, play and grow alongside people who genuinely care about them. Welcome to The Kind Nest, Imogen.
We’re so happy you’re here.

montessoriethos learningthroughplay childledlearning nurturingchildren outdoorlearning earlyyearseducation littlenests kindnessinearlyyears

05/10/2026

It has been a busy and magical time at the kind nest!

Some of our very first kind nest little ones have flown the nest and started school 😢, while we’ve also welcomed lots of new recruits. 🫶

This is such a special time for us, watching the children settle into their new environments, getting to know their interests, listening to their ideas and carefully observing their play so we can create an environment that feels truly just for them.

And this week, we have some very special interests to explore! 🏴‍☠️👑🕷️🎂

We have some pirate loving adventurers, a birthday princess, happy snappers 📸 and spider-man superhero lovers 🕷️🦸‍♂️, so we’ve been busy preparing our outdoor environment for lots of fun and learning!

🏴‍☠️ Pirate small world play for imaginative adventures
🗺️ Pirate map making for our little explorers who are developing their mark making
🎂 Birthday cake image hunts to celebrate our birthday girl and support our new children who are showing an interest in colours
🥔🧅 Homegrown potatoes and onions, alongside role play vegetables, in our digging patch
🥕 A vegetable shop complete with wheelbarrows, pushchairs and push toys to encourage balancing, coordination & movement.
🦸‍♂️ A superhero rescue station, where the children can use their “tong weapons” to save the bugs and then travel down the pulley in superhero style!
❄️💜 Also Elsa and Anna ice play, helping us melt pink and purple ice to celebrate our birthday girl!

Every activity has been thoughtfully planned from what the children have been showing us through their play, interests, conversations and observations. 💕

We can’t wait to see all our little explorers this week and what learning they create through this 🫶.

30/06/2026

Ofsted Outcome – strong standard across every area ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We are so proud to share that The Kind Nest has been recognised with Strong Standard across all areas of inspection, in Ofsted’s words

✔ Safeguarding – Met
“An open and positive culture of safeguarding where everyone is responsible”

✔ Achievement – Strong Standard
“Children achieve well… make secure progress… and are excellent communicators”

✔ Behaviour, attitudes & routines– Strong Standard
“Children behave remarkably well… kindness is at the heart of the ethos”

✔ Children’s welfare & wellbeing – Strong Standard
“Warm, nurturing relationships… all children clearly develop close attachments and feel safe”

✔ Curriculum & teaching – Strong Standard
“Highly inclusive, ambitious curriculum… rich language, curiosity and learning extended”

✔ Inclusion – Strong Standard
“Secure knowledge of each child ensures excellent progress from their starting points”

✔ Leadership & governance – Strong Standard
“Highly reflective practice… children’s wellbeing at the centre of every decision”

💛 “Children thrive in this welcoming and nurturing setting.” 💛

These words reflect everything we strive for every single day at The Kind Nest — a place built on kindness, connection, curiosity and care.

A huge thank you to our families, children, and our incredible team for making this possible. This truly is a shared achievement.

We are beyond proud. Strong in every area.

eyfs kindnessmatters earlyyearseducation childledlearning safeguarding inclusion nurseryuk proudmoment

26/06/2026

🥂Yesterday evening, I raised a glass with some incredible people who have helped make The Kind Nest what it is today as we celebrate our successful Ofsted inspection and passing with strong merit! 🌟

Firstly, my wonderful Mum – known as Nanna to so many of our children. From attending my very first parent classes to supporting me from the very beginning of The Kind Nest, she has been there every step of the way. She lovingly knits beautiful treasures for our setting, offers endless cuddles, kindness and reassurance, and brings the warmth and nurturing only a grandparent can provide. 💛

And then there’s Super Sam! Sam joined The Kind Nest to help us support even more children and families, and what a blessing she has been. She is an incredible teacher, bursting with enthusiasm, love and energy. She has completely embraced the values and vision of The Kind Nest and is an absolute joy to work alongside every day.

A huge thank you also goes to my family, my husband and my sons, who have embraced my vision of The Kind Nest with so much encouragement, patience and love every step of the way. Your support behind the scenes means more than words can say. ❤️

And to all the families who have supported us over the years, from my parent classes to those who now bring their children (and even siblings!) to our sessions – thank you. Your trust, encouragement and belief in what we do means everything.

I feel truly blessed to have built a nest that I love so deeply and to work alongside such inspirational children, parents and colleagues every day. ❤️.

Cheers everyone! 🥂

thankyou childcarewithheart kindnessmatters

21/06/2026

Today we are celebrating the magic of fatherhood and all the wonderful daddies, grandads, stepdads, father figures, and those who hope to become daddies one day.

One of the greatest privileges of what we do at The Kind Nest is working so closely with families and witnessing the special relationships between children and their fathers. Whether it’s the cuddles at drop-off, the excitement of sharing an achievement, or the comfort of knowing Daddy is there, these connections help children feel safe, loved, and confident to explore the world around them.

The children worked incredibly hard to create some special Father’s Day gifts. They baked delicious gingerbread ready for their daddies to decorate together during our Father’s Day celebration, and each child designed a personalised chopping board featuring their own drawing and handprint – a precious keepsake to treasure for years to come.

It was so lovely to welcome Daddies into The Kind Nest. Thank you for taking the time to join us, make memories with your children, and be part of our community. Seeing the pride on the children’s faces as they shared their creations with you was truly magical.

Wishing all of our daddies, father figures, and future daddies a wonderful Father’s Day filled with love, laughter, and special moments with those who matter most. 💙

learningthroughlove familyconnections kindnesscourageauthenticity thekindnestcommunity

08/06/2026

We often focus on children’s academic skills… but what about their inner voice?

For young children, simple, gentle questions help them feel safe, understood, and valued 💛

⭐️ What makes you happy?
⭐️ What do you love doing?
⭐️ What helps when you feel sad?
⭐️ Who do you like to be with?
⭐️ What are you proud of?
⭐️ Can you show me your favourite thing today?
⭐️ What makes you feel better?
⭐️ Do you feel happy or sad right now?

💭 Little conversations like these build confidence, emotional awareness, and connection.
How children feel matters just as much as what they learn.

RaisingConfidentChildren

27/05/2026

Children need to know that all feelings are safe to feel.

When we rush to say
“You’re fine”
or distract with treats or rewards,
children can begin to believe their feelings should be hidden or quickly pushed away.

Instead, try to:

• Acknowledge the feeling
“You seem sad/angry/scared… what’s happened?”

• Relate to their experience
“I’m sorry that happened.”

• Offer support
“Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?”

• Share gentle suggestions
“When I feel sad, a cuddle and a quiet moment helps me feel calm again.”

Children don’t need us to fix every feeling.
They need us to sit alongside them while they learn to understand and manage those big emotions 💛

bigfeelings emotionregulation consciousparenting raisingchildren parentingtips childrensmentalhealth supportiveparenting emotionalwellbeing eyfs positiveparenting

25/05/2026

Little did I know, a weekly practice of mine would become washing dolls’ faces and hair after all of the makeovers and hair do’s the children lovingly create.

This little station began with a pre-loved bookcase, a pre-loved mirror, some pre-loved hairdresser dolls, recycled shampoo bottles and face paint pens — simple resources brought together with care and imagination

And the children absolutely adore it.

Week after week, this space is filled with storytelling, role play, creativity, conversations and nurturing care. The dolls are styled, pampered, covered in face paint masterpieces and then lovingly washed clean again, ready for another day of play 💛

It is such a beautiful reminder that children do not need brand new or expensive resources to create meaningful play. Often, the most loved spaces are built from recycled, reused and thoughtfully chosen treasures.

openendedplay recycledplay sustainableplay childledlearning invitationtoplay creativeplay preschoollife imaginativeplay playmatters earlychildhood curiouschildren loosepartsplay preloved tufftrayideas childhoodunplugged playbasedlearning

Address

Ashingdon

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Kind Nest posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to The Kind Nest:

Shortcuts

Share

Category