What to Expect at a Montessori Nursery Open Day: A Practical Guide for New Parents

Choosing the right nursery for your child is a big decision, and open days offer one of the most informative ways to evaluate your options. For families exploring the Montessori approach—especially those interested in a forest school or outdoor learning component—open days provide a hands-on, immersive opportunity to experience the philosophy in action. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to expect at a Montessori nursery open day, from the types of activities available to how to engage meaningfully with staff and other families.

Whether you’re attending an event at Woodland Wanderers or a similar setting in the UK, this blog offers practical insights tied to real-world nursery events and supports strong school marketing strategies for early years providers.

The Purpose of a Montessori Nursery Open Day

A Montessori nursery open day serves three main functions: to welcome prospective families, to demonstrate the school’s educational philosophy in action, and to begin forming trusting relationships between staff and parents. Open days are also a vital part of school marketing, allowing nurseries to showcase their unique approach while giving families a genuine feel for the environment.

For parents, it’s a chance to see the classrooms, observe child-led learning, learn about outdoor programmes like forest school, and ask questions about the daily routine and curriculum. For staff, it’s a moment to share their passion, discuss values, and connect with families who share a vision for holistic development.

First Impressions: Arrival and Welcome

Expect to be greeted warmly by staff members as soon as you arrive. You’ll usually sign in, receive a welcome pack or brochure, and be invited to explore at your own pace or join a guided tour. In most Montessori nurseries, including Woodland Wanderers, the environment itself is intentionally calm, natural, and child-sized—designed to make children feel at home and ready to engage.

You may also be given a short introduction by the nursery manager or lead educator. This talk typically covers:

• The Montessori philosophy

• The role of outdoor learning and forest school

• A breakdown of age groups and classroom organisation

• An overview of key staff members and their roles

Touring the Learning Environment

Montessori classrooms are prepared environments—carefully designed spaces where everything has a place and purpose. During your tour, take time to notice the materials available: trays of beads for counting, sandpaper letters for pre-writing, child-sized tools for cleaning, and natural items like stones and pinecones for sensory play.

Montessori open day activities often include:

• Practical life demonstrations (e.g. pouring, hand washing, food prep)

• Sensorial exploration (e.g. colour matching, shape sorting)

• Literacy corners with phonetic games

• Numeracy tables with hands-on counting and sequencing

Outdoors, you might see:

• Forest school stations: mud kitchens, log balancing, bug exploration

• Art and nature crafts

• Story circles and movement games

These activities aren’t staged—they reflect what your child will encounter in a typical day. Parents often find this part of the visit the most illuminating.

Meeting the Staff: Who You’ll Speak To

One of the most important aspects of any open day is the chance to meet the staff. Look for a setting where teachers and assistants are approachable, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about child development. In a Montessori nursery, educators are often referred to as “guides” because their role is to observe and support rather than instruct.

Key staff you might meet include:

• The nursery manager or director

• Montessori-certified lead teachers

• Forest school leaders

• Key persons assigned to specific age groups

Use this opportunity to ask about their background, how they support emotional development, how they manage transitions (e.g. settling in, toilet learning), and what a typical day looks like.

Family Engagement: Building Relationships That Matter

Montessori nurseries place great importance on family engagement. During an open day, staff may share how they communicate with parents—through daily updates, newsletters, digital journals, and face-to-face chats. You might also hear about parent events such as:

• Coffee mornings or parenting workshops

• Family forest walks

• Seasonal festivals and concerts

• Volunteer opportunities in the classroom or garden

Ask how the nursery handles transitions between home and school. Do they offer home visits? Flexible start dates? Do they involve parents in decision-making or event planning?

A good open day should leave you feeling not only informed but included. When a nursery invites families into the life of the school, it fosters mutual respect and long-term partnership.

Open Day Activities: What to Look Out For

Throughout the event, a wide variety of open day activities may be available for both parents and children. While activities vary between settings, they usually include:

For Children:

• Montessori work stations

• Free play with natural materials

• Outdoor exploration

• Interactive storytelling or sing-alongs

For Parents:

• Curriculum presentations

• Forest school demos

• Question and answer sessions

• One-on-one chats with staff

• Guided observations

Take your time to participate, observe your child, and ask questions. Bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down impressions and questions to review later.

Common Questions to Ask at a Montessori Open Day

Open days are your chance to gather as much information as possible. Here are some helpful questions to guide your visit:

• How is progress assessed and shared with parents?

• How often do children go outside?

• How does the nursery support individual learning paths?

• What’s your approach to behaviour and emotional regulation?

• Are meals and snacks provided? Are they organic?

• How is conflict resolved among children?

• What training do staff members have?

These questions help reveal whether the nursery's philosophy aligns with your values and your child’s needs.

Beyond the Brochure: What to Observe

Printed materials and websites are useful, but nothing compares to being in the space. Watch how staff interact with children and with each other. Do they kneel to speak with children eye-to-eye? Do they redirect with kindness rather than control? Are the children confident, relaxed, and engaged?

Look at the flow of the environment. Are children able to move independently between tasks? Is there evidence of order, calm, and creativity? Is nature represented through plants, wood, stone, and open-ended materials?

Observe how the forest school area is used. Are children taking thoughtful risks? Are they encouraged to explore, question, and wonder?

Practical Tips for Making the Most of the Day

• Arrive early so you have plenty of time to explore without rushing.

• Bring your child if possible and allow them to engage naturally.

• Dress for comfort, especially if you’ll be walking outdoors.

• Collect handouts, policy documents, and curriculum outlines.

• Don’t be afraid to ask direct or challenging questions—this is your opportunity to learn.

Follow-Up After the Open Day

After the open day, reflect on your experience as a family. Did the nursery feel welcoming and safe? Was the philosophy lived, not just stated? Could you imagine your child feeling happy and thriving there?

Spend time discussing your impressions with your partner or other caregivers involved in the decision. Talk about what stood out most to you, what reassured you, and what questions still remain. Compare notes if each of you focused on different aspects—some may have noticed how children were engaged, others may have picked up on communication styles or routines.

Reach out with any additional questions. Most nurseries will gladly arrange a follow-up meeting, phone call, or even a trial morning. Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification on any aspect, from settling-in procedures to funding options. If you’re ready to register, find out the next steps—whether that’s joining a waiting list, submitting documents, or arranging a settling-in plan. Clear next steps help ensure a smooth, confident start to your child’s early years journey.

Why Woodland Wanderers Open Days Stand Out

If you’re visiting Woodland Wanderers Montessori Nursery in Rickmansworth, you’ll notice the difference right away. Their open days reflect their ethos: calm, nature-led, and child-centred. You’ll find:

• Montessori classrooms filled with natural light and hands-on materials

• A vibrant forest school garden with real tools, living plants, and exploration spaces

• Warm, welcoming educators with Montessori and forest school training

• Gentle transitions and flexible enrolment plans

• Thoughtful guidance on both curriculum and parenting

Families leave Woodland Wanderers open days not only informed but inspired—ready to start a journey rooted in freedom, discovery, and joy.

Final Thoughts: What to Expect and What to Remember

Attending a Montessori nursery open day is more than a tour—it’s a window into your child’s future learning environment. It’s a rare opportunity to ask questions, watch educators in action, and imagine your child not just enrolled but thriving.

These events offer a rare and meaningful chance to witness the educational philosophy, observe the community in motion, and picture your family becoming part of it. It’s not just about facilities—it’s about people, rhythm, and trust. Use the day to truly notice: how are children treated? Is the space calm and nurturing? Does the day flow naturally? Your impressions matter.

Remember to trust your instincts. A good nursery will meet your questions with openness and clarity. The right one will feel like home—supporting not just your child’s learning but your family’s values and long-term journey.

Interested in attending an upcoming open day? Visit Woodland Wanderers for dates, event details, and how to register. For more parenting tips and Montessori blog content, keep exploring our Montessori blog—your guide to child-led education and family engagement in the UK nursery community.