The Old School House Montessori Nursery
OutstandingBirth to 8+Open for decades
A day nursery in Lewes for children from birth to 8+, open 08:00 to 18:00, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in September 2023. Open since 2002, with 48 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in East Sussex
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in East Sussex from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
BN7 1SPWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 7 September 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children make exceptional progress at this inspiring nursery. They are highly engaged and have an abundance of confidence. Staff offer each child a warm welcome on arrival and enquire about their well-being. This inclusive practice helps children to feel highly valued and creates an incredibly positive start to their day.
The key-person system is strongly embedded, which helps children to feel safe and form superbly close and trusting relationships with staff.
Children's behaviour is exemplary. The highly qualified staff are excellent role models and have high expectations for all children. Children show consideration to their friends and are extremely respectful and kind to each other. For example, one child explained and demonstrated to another the sequencing of traffic lights. The child spoke about how indicators on vehicles show others which way they intend to travel as they played with electronic resources.
- 7 September 2023Outstanding
- 23 September 2022Needs improvement
- 28 November 2016Outstanding
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Old School House Montessori Nursery
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.