I recommend the Montessori School on Chestnut Grove (in Balham).

http://www.themontessorischool.co.uk/

Not sure about openings, you may have to start in the afternoon and wait for a morning slot. It is a fantastic school; they utilize the nursery grant and also take child care vouchers to lower your costs. You can drop them an email at themontessorischool@live.co.uk to make an appointment to see the school or ask any questions.

Another vote for Lochinvar :-) My daughter started there in September and she just loves it! It's a small environment, no more than 15 children at one time (sometimes less) and there are always 3-4 carers on hand. The preschool is housed on the premises of Alderbrook primary school, but is entirely separated from the school's own nursery (I think they only share the canteen for cooked lunches). Hours are 9:15am-3pm, many children are either mornings or afternoon sessions, lots of French-speaking I noticed. They have a small playground at the back of the house for outside play. They also organise outside school activities, for example there is a day trip to an animal farm coming up.

Depending on where you are near Clapham Common, two I would look at are:
Barnaby Bright on Clapham Common Northside
or
Lochinvar Pre-School in Balham (5 minutes from Clapham South tube).

Both are rated outstanding by OFSTED. My son attended 'Baby Bright' the toddlers group at the Barnaby Bright nursery when he was younger and now goes to Lochinvar. Both are good. You will still have problems with waiting lists as with all the good nurseries but worth a try. You might get an afternoon place at Lochinvar. It is possible to park nearby if its too far for you to walk.

Hi

I would highly recommend Mouse House Nursery School in Mallinson road, their website is http://www.thekindergartens.com you do need to register early though.

Hi

I would highly recommend Mouse House Nursery School in Mallinson road, their website is www.thekindergartens.com you do need to register early though.

Have you tried any of the local primary schools? They all have great nurseries. If she is 3 she can go to school in a nursery, pre-school or school nursery for 15 hours a week. Depending on the nursery this can be pretty flexible. My oldest child got a place at Clapham Manor Nursery as soon as we moved here, the waiting lists are not always as bad as they seem. There are a few Montessori schools in the area. The Clapham Montessori is quite popular.

Hello, my name is Tina and i run Bringing up Baby on Peardon Street. The nursery has a pre-school and we are open from 8 am to 6pm and run morning or afternoon sessions. We are a 10 minute walk from Clapham Common. Why don't you give me a ring and we can book a time for you to look round the nursery. 020 7498 3165

I second the recommendation of the Montessori School. It is great. Both of my girls have also attended one of the Noah's Ark nurseries which are also really lovely. [url]http://www.noahsarknurseryschools.org.uk/[/url]

I can only echo what Happymama says, best bet is to ring round. Your best bet is definitely a nursery school rather than a day nursery.

This one is also meant to be lovely (I know one or two children who attend)

http://www.themontessorischool.co.uk/

Can I just ask to anyone who may know, Bluebells looks lovely but THE FEES! Is it just me, or do they seem WAY above the other local nurseries?!

My daughter started at one of the between the commons nursery schools today and enjoyed it-fingers crossed it stays that way! :D

We just started at Bluebell's nursery school
It is absolutely gorgeous, they have both morning and afternoon sessions
And I believe both teachers are Monterssori trained
It just opened, so I am pretty certain they have spaces
Both Kate and Joanna are lovely and made me feel very comfortable leaving my little one for the first time.
They take children 2-5yrs old
This is their website

http://www.bluebellsnurseryschool.co.uk/index.php?page=contact-us

Hello and welcome to the area !

Its so difficult around here as everything gets really booked quickly - when I arrived I seemed to be on every waiting list in SW11 !!! You could try Marmalade Cat on Battersea Rise .... you would definitely not be able to get a morning place (people put their kids name down at birth) but you could try for an afternoon place which would also give you the flexibility of doing 3/4 days (if you get a morning place you have to do 5 days). Eventually I got an afternoon place at Marmalade Cat - I could not recommend it more ! Its a fantastic nursery ! And I actually loved having an afternoon place - our mornings were so relaxed. They also have a nursery in Balham which might not get so booked up ? Its run by the same lady so I am sure it will be just as amazing as the one in Battersea Rise.

This is the one on Battersea Rise
http://www.marmaladecatschool.co.uk

This is the one in Balham
http://www.caterpillarnursery.com/

There are a lot of other great nurseries in the area. You could also try Mouse House and Sparkies? You will have the same problem with Mouse House (i.e. unlikely to get a morning place). I don't know much about Sparkies apart from the fact that a few friends have kids there and really like it.

Good luck !!

Hi - I've just moved here from the States, and am looking for a preschool that offers a class, 3-4 days a week, for 2.5-3 hrs a day. I've spoken to a few places, and they charge for a full day (which I do not need). I do not need daycare/childcare, but would like my daughter to have the structure of a class, and to meet other children. I live near Clapham Common. Any suggestions?