Root & BloomRegister interest

Stratford, East London

Root & Bloom

Home Nursery

Bringing the best of acountryside childhoodto the heart of the City

A warm, Montessori and forest school Home Nursery where nature, music and purposeful play help little minds flourish.
Based in Stratford, East London.

Nature-focused

Located seconds from a stunning over 70-acre park for forest school and outdoor discovery in every season

Montessori

Care that fosters confidence, supports wellbeing and teaches baby sign language

Learning through song

Live music singalongs, rhythm and language shared throughout the day

Home from home

A nurturing setting in a beautiful Victorian house with a sizeable garden where we grow our own vegetables

About us

Where children explore and thrive.

Spaces available for January 2027!

We are an Ofsted Registered home nursery in Stratford, East London. We take inspiration from Montessori principles and the freedom of outdoor discovery, creating calm, hands-on experiences that follow each child’s interests and pace. Root & Bloom features regular live music sessions and lessons, sensory and creative play and a focus on motor skills and language development. We prioritise taking trips outside of our four walls to introduce our children to incredible learning experiences.

A home nursery offers a true home away from home, where learning and care can be tailored to each child. In a mixed-age group, children build close relationships, learn from one another and grow in confidence. We also adopt Montessori principles and teach baby sign language in order to foster independence in our children. We serve fresh, nutritious meals onsite daily.

See our home nursery
Books, soft toys and sensory details in the Root & Bloom baby room
Two children exploring a fallen tree in a woodland setting

Forest school

Growing curiosity from the ground up.

We are located just seconds from a stunning, over 70-acre park which allows our children to explore nature with freedom and confidence in every season. Our forest school sessions help our children learn about seasons, plants and birds and build confidence through hands-on play in nature.

At home, we have a large garden with a vertical vegetable garden where we grow tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs, along with a cutting garden. Our children will sow seeds, care for growing plants, harvest what they’ve grown and begin to understand the life cycle of food. We also have bird houses, bird feeders and butterfly habitats so our little ones can enjoy the wonder of nature.

Hands playing the white piano at Root & Bloom

Learning through song

Music woven through the day.

We are passionate about music and the transformative impact it can have. Live piano music and fun sing-alongs make rhythm, language and joyful self-expression a natural part of our days together.

Our children are introduced to a range of instruments, sounds and musical traditions, with plenty of freedom to listen, join in and experiment. Through music we nurture language, memory and fine motor skills.

Curriculum

Our BLOOMS Curriculum

Rooted in nature, united by song, growing together.

Based on the Early Years Foundation Stage

We have created our own bespoke curriculum based on the Early Years Foundation Stage by the Department of Education that is designed so our Blooms can thrive in every area. Our Curriculum is created around the acronym BLOOMS, which stands for 'Belonging, Learning, Outdoors, Open Play, Music and Support'.

Belonging

We nurture secure relationships, celebrate every child's identity and foster a warm, inclusive community where everyone feels safe, valued and connected.

  • Group games and activities
  • diverse books and toys
  • affirmations
  • welcome songs
  • eating together
  • community play groups
  • trips to museum

Prime Areas

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Communication and Language

Specific Areas

  • Understanding the World

Learning

We inspire curiosity, independence, discovery and problem-solving through meaningful experiences that build knowledge, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.

  • Storytimes and reading
  • Montessori toys
  • counting objects
  • sensory activities
  • baking and cooking
  • arts and crafts
  • intentional language
  • cause-and-effect experiments
  • colour and texture discovery
  • trips to library

Prime Areas

  • Communication and Language
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Physical Development

Specific Areas

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design

Outdoors

We connect children with the magic of childhood in nature through outdoor exploration, forest school, growing vegetables and sensory activities, nurturing physical confidence, curiosity and care for our natural world.

  • Forest school
  • nature walks
  • planting
  • watering and harvesting vegetables
  • seasonal treasure baskets
  • birdwatching
  • nature exploration
  • trips to farm

Prime Areas

  • Physical Development
  • Communication and Language
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas

  • Understanding the World
  • Mathematics
  • Expressive Arts and Design

Open Play

We empower children to follow their interests, make independent choices, explore freely and develop creativity, resilience and critical thinking through child-led play.

  • Child-led construction
  • arts and crafts
  • imaginative play
  • role-play kitchen
  • sensory play trays
  • dress up and play pretend
  • free painting and drawing
  • books

Prime Areas

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development

Specific Areas

  • Expressive Arts and Design
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Literacy

Music

We enrich children's development through live music, singing and learning lyrics, melodies, rhythms and patterns. This strengthens communication, fine motor skills and the ability to memorise and recall information – a skill which is essential throughout a child's education.

  • Live piano singalongs
  • percussion circles
  • learning instruments
  • movement and dance
  • songwriting
  • exploring volume
  • music from diverse cultures
  • storytelling

Prime Areas

  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas

  • Expressive Arts and Design
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics

Support

We provide responsive, individualised care and encouragement, working closely with families to help every child develop an understanding of their inner world, emotional security and confidence at their own pace.

  • Feelings and emotions activities
  • calm sensory spaces
  • key-person interactions
  • adjustments for needs
  • picture cards
  • parent partnership
  • community events

Prime Areas

  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development

Specific Areas

  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Arts and Design
Kima, founder of Root & Bloom

Meet Kima

A home nursery shaped by care, curiosity and joy.

Hi, I’m Kima, the founder of Root & Bloom. I created our home nursery to give children a place where they can experience the magic of a childhood spent in nature, around music and engaging with sensory experiences. I want the children at Root & Bloom to experience the best of a childhood in the countryside while making the most of everything the City has to offer. The years before school age are important, and I wanted an environment that feels like an extension of home, for my child and other children alike.

I bring both a creative and legal background to Root & Bloom. As a singer and multi-instrumentalist, I weave regular musical workshops, sensory activities, art and creative play into our days. My legal background also shapes the way I support children’s language, reasoning and critical thinking skills. I run Root & Bloom from my home in Stratford alongside a brilliant programme director and two experienced practitioners.

Practical details

Our fees and availability.

We accept children from 0-4 years old, funded hours are welcome.

Our hourly fee, from

£11 per hour

Opening hours

8am–6pm

Monday to Friday, 49 weeks a year.

Funded childcare

Funded hours accepted

We accept government-funded hours.

Join our waiting list

Ready to grow with us?

Tell us what childcare you’re looking for. We’ll save your details and be in touch about availability.

Children exploring logs in a leafy forest school setting

Register your interest

Will you be using funded hours?
Days needed
Any allergies or dietary requirements?

Registration is free. By continuing, you agree that Root & Bloom may contact you about this enquiry.

The Root & Bloom home nursery main room

Frequently asked questions

Helpful things to know.

Find quick answers to common questions about visiting Root & Bloom.

How can I visit Root & Bloom?

We will be hosting visit days where you will get to see our home nursery and meet our team. Just fill out our registration form to hear about when our next open day is taking place!

Do you serve food to the children during the day?

Yes. We serve three freshly prepared meals on site each day. Our food contains no added salt or sugar and no preservatives or additives. We will provide you with our weekly menu listing all ingredients and allergens.

Is there a minimum number of days that my child can attend Root & Bloom?

We offer a minimum attendance of two full, consecutive days per week. This regular pattern gives children the time and consistency they need to settle in, build strong relationships and feel truly at home at Root & Bloom. We do not offer half-day sessions. Your Root & Bloom plan will cover the standard hours of 8am to 6pm, but if you'd like to bring your child in a little later, or collect them a little earlier, then that’s completely fine with us.

Is there parking available at Root & Bloom?

Yes. On-street parking is available directly outside Root & Bloom. Restrictions apply between 8am and 8pm, although short stops for drop-off and collection should generally be straightforward. Paid on-street parking is also available on the street directly behind Root & Bloom.

Do you have CCTV at your premises?

Yes, “nanny” cameras operate in every room within our setting, with recorded footage retained for 30 days before it is permanently deleted. Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Root & Bloom. We strictly adhere to all GDPR, data protection and safeguarding requirements.

Do you have a LifeVac onsite?

Yes, we have a LifeVac onsite to ensure the safety of all of the children in our care. Additionally, all of our childminding staff are first aid trained.

Contact us

Say hello.

Have a question about Root & Bloom or want to talk through your childcare needs? We’d love to hear from you.

Map of Stratford and the surrounding area in East London
Stratford, East London
Map imagery © Google Maps

We are located in Stratford near East Village, Olympic Park, Maryland, Forest Gate, Plaistow, West Ham and Leyton