Established in 1996 Beckett House Montessori Nursery School quickly became the preferred Montessori Nursery School of the area.

Its emphasis is learning in a home-from-home environment. It is comfortable, friendly and, when necessary, quiet.

A typical day will begin with the children selecting an activity when they arrive at nursery school. This could be drawing, painting, reading, writing or one of the many Montessori activities such as a fastening frame, pouring liquids from one jug to another or transferring small items such as dried peas from one container to another. Each of these Montessori activities is set out on individual trays on open shelves. The child will take the tray to either a table or may first place a small mat on the floor and take it to the mat.

Once the child has finished they are encouraged to put away what they had out before starting something else - and this they do.

Often during this time, a teacher will take a child to continue a reading, writing or maths activity. This will usually be on a one-to-one basis. Most children when they leave Beckett House at rising-five are able to understand simple arithmetic, write their own name and more and read small passages. Some have even been able to read to the whole class. Learning is at their own pace; the teachers encourage the children to learn by harnessing their natural inquisitiveness and allowing them to realize their own achievements and gain confidence.

Group activities consist of, for example, 'circle time' when the children sit with a teacher and discuss various topical subjects and items one of them may have brought to school.

Other activities include singing, dance, percussion, French and sometimes Italian and other languages.

All such extra activities are included in the basic fees - there are no extra costs.

Every day the children are served a freshly prepared lunch using only the best ingredients. Though not always, lunch is usually hot and a typical week could consist of for example, roast chicken one day, a pasta dish another, sausages, fish etc. followed by a sweet which usually consists of fresh or cooked fruit.

Every morning and afternoon, the children have a snack usually consisting of fruit, biscuits and a drink.

The children always sit together for lunch and snack time and are taught the proper use of cutlery and crockery, and are encouraged to socialize correctly.

Parents are encouraged to join their children at school from time to time though this must always be arranged in advance with the head.

During the year, Beckett House holds two parents' evenings and in summer an open day on a Saturday morning when the children bring their parents, grandparents and siblings and show off 'their' school and the work they have done.

There are outings organized each term such as to the theatre, a farm etc. and every Christmas the children stage their nativity play. This is always held on a Saturday morning so most parents are able to attend. Over the years this has become a most cherished event in the school calendar.