Three nurseries in south west London have been voted the best in the city, according to parent reviews.
Norbury Hill Cubs, Raphael Nursery Clapham and Abacus Ark Wandsworth were awarded daynurseries.co.uk Top 20 Nursery Awards London 2026 out of more than 2000 nurseries.
The Nursery Awards celebrate fantastic early years centres and are awarded entirely on parent reviews, which means results truly represent the experience of clients.
Norbury Hill Cubs founder and director Sara Rafique said: “Myself and the team at Norbury Hill Cubs are just delighted to have been awarded and are so grateful for the continuous support of our parents.
“What an Ofsted report shows you is a snapshot of a day or a few hours of a day, but with these reviews, it shows we are tried and tested and holds a lot more value than an inspection.”
Sara started the nursery in 2008 with her mum in their family home in Norbury Hill, keeping their ‘home from home’ ethos as true as possible.
West Norwood mum Emma Embleton, 35, said: “My three-year-old son Joseph has been attending Norbury Hill Cubs since just before he turned one and has had a wonderful experience there.
“He particularly enjoys playing in the excellent outside space and Mr Ed’s music class!
“All the staff are loving and caring and go above and beyond to support both the children and parents.”
The French bilingual Raphael Nursery in Clapham was also named.
Married couple Caroline-Laure and Guilhem Negre founded the family-run nursery in memory of their son Raphaël in 2017.
Caroline said: “[The award] means a lot because it’s all recognition from the parents.
“Diversity is important to us and it’s the nice openness to different cultures that makes us who we are.”
Caroline-Laure and Guilhem are also planning to open their third nursery soon.
Abacus Ark Wandsworth blends Montessori and Reggio Emilio approaches to childcare, making their nursery a ‘stimulating and happy’ environment, according to reviews on daynurseries.co.uk.
Parents praise the hands-on and sensory experiences they create for children – including ‘healthy habits’ days where toddlers are taught how to brush their teeth and hatching ducklings.
A review from a mother of a child at Abacus Ark Wandsworth wrote: “She has always been so happy and excited to go (even from week 1!) and even on her days off I can tell she is disappointed when she is getting in the pram and she isn’t being taken to nursery!”
You can read the full list of winning nurseries here.
Featured image credit: Sara Rafique
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