“Bilingual +” Programme at Our London Nurseries

At Les Petites Étoiles, our Bilingual + programme is what sets us apart as a leading bilingual Montessori nursery in London. Developed with a Paris-based child psychologist and inspired by the most respected bilingual nurseries in France, our approach provides immersive, natural exposure to both French and English from the earliest years.

We are proud to be one of the few nurseries in London offering bilingual childcare that goes far beyond short weekly sessions. Instead, children are surrounded by both languages every day — through care, play, and routine — in a warm, joyful environment designed for early learning.

A Nursery with Language Immersion, Not Just Lessons

Our French-speaking educators provide consistent care and interaction exclusively in French. This allows us to create a true nursery with language immersion — where French is not taught as a subject, but lived as part of the daily experience.

We follow the proven “one person, one language” approach, meaning children hear clear, consistent French and English from their caregivers throughout the day. This helps children build strong comprehension in both languages naturally, without confusion.

Your child benefits from full exposure to both languages, supported by nurturing relationships on both sides.

Bilingual Montessori Childcare Backed by Research

Bilingual education in the early years isn’t just about learning a second language — it supports deeper cognitive and social development too. Studies show that children in bilingual childcare environments often demonstrate better problem-solving skills, memory, and creativity.

We see those benefits every day in our classrooms. Children become more confident communicators, more adaptable learners, and more curious about the world around them. Our team supports every child to develop at their own pace — in both languages — within the gentle structure of the Montessori method.

That’s what makes us a true bilingual Montessori nursery.

Mandarin as a Bonus, Not a Focus

In 2018, we launched an Introduction to Mandarin programme with great success. Native-speaking Mandarin teachers now visit each of our five London nurseries — including Angel, Crouch Hill, Paddington, Tufnell Park, and West Hampstead — to lead sensory-based activities and songs in small groups.

This gentle exposure to a third language is not formal instruction — it’s an extra layer of cultural and linguistic experience. Additionally, as Mandarin is a tonal language, it is ideal for children to be exposed to it at a young age. The brain’s sensitivity to tonal pitch is at its peak in the first two years—and declines sharply afterwards—introducing Mandarin to children at our nursery helps give a native-like ear for tones that older beginners rarely achieve. The same early practice also fine-tunes general pitch processing, with knock-on benefits for music, reading and further language learning. The younger the exposure, the deeper and more durable the mastery of Mandarin’s tonal system.

French and English bilingual Montessori with an introduction to Mandarin

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your nursery bilingual?

We have native French and English educators who provide daily care and interaction in their respective languages. This full-time language immersion — not just occasional lessons — is what makes us a true bilingual nursery in London.

Are there nurseries in London that teach French every day?

Yes, but they’re rare. At Les Petites Étoiles, children are surrounded by French every day — not in short classes, but during their natural daily routine. That’s what makes us one of the few nurseries that teach French in London using a fully immersive model.

What’s the benefit of bilingual childcare?

Children in bilingual childcare settings tend to have stronger communication, memory, and problem-solving skills. Learning two languages also supports emotional resilience and builds the foundation for easier language learning later in life.

Will my child still learn enough English?

Absolutely. Every child has an English-speaking Key Person who supports their communication and early literacy development in English. Our approach ensures children thrive in both languages — never at the expense of one or the other.

What age is best to start learning a second language?

The earlier the better. Young children absorb language naturally — and are far less self-conscious about mistakes. That’s why language immersion in a nursery is such a powerful tool: it lays the foundation before they even realise they’re learning.

How is this different from other nurseries that offer French?

Many nurseries offer short weekly French sessions. At Les Petites Étoiles, our French-speaking educators are part of your child’s daily life — Monday to Friday, all day long. It’s a fully immersive, relationship-based model — not just a 20-minute lesson.

Is bilingual education part of the Montessori method?

Yes — in fact, bilingual Montessori nurseries in London are growing in popularity because both approaches value independence, curiosity, and respect for each child’s natural development. At Les Petites Étoiles, we bring these values together.