THE EVELINE DAY SCHOOL

Maria wanted to provide an 'extension of the home', for working mothers, a safe and secure environment for them to leave their children. An environment where children thrived, offering innovative opportunities to learn within a stimulating and caring atmosphere. With her husband Alf and her 3 sisters, children Eveline and Gordon, and grandchildren she is became the principal of 7 thriving nurseries and a school. They catered for the needs of the individual child, with wrap around care, across 51 weeks of the year, from 7.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Maria and her family ensured that the needs of the child are always at the forefront of any development. The 1960’s period was a time of transition; few nurseries or day care facilities existed and the idea of mothers returning to work was frowned upon by many. As a mother herself, Maria sought to recreate a nurturing environment for children of working parents. She helped to dispel many of the anxieties experienced by mothers returning to the workforce; taking the time to listen and support. More than sixty years have passed since those early days, many families remain in touch today. Over the years, Maria was delighted to see the children of her pupils, and latterly even their grandchildren, passing through the Eveline Day nurseries and school. The first nursery, in the Eveline Day Group, opened its doors in 1965 and was located at 68 Huron Road. The nursery began with 25 children and four staff. The Eveline Day Group has grown considerably from those early days, and now encompasses over 500 children and 240 staff, in eight premises. Every provision is good or outstanding and each branch retains its family atmosphere. It was of paramount importance to Maria that a home from home experience is at the heart of every establishment. Details of all of the nurseries can be found on www.evelinedaynursery.com In 1989, following the success of the nurseries, Maria branched into primary education and the Eveline Day School, named after her daughter, was opened. A year later, Maria’s daughter, Eveline, returned from teaching in Paris to take over the role of Head Teacher. In 2012, the school moved to Swan House, in Balham High Road, where it continues to flourish. Inspectors have commented that the curriculum is both broad and balanced. It provides a very enriching experience for pupils, promoting British values very effectively. It ensures that pupils achieve well and become inquisitive learners. Inspectors also stated that the school's work to promote pupils' personal development and welfare is outstanding. This is due to the very effective way leaders and teachers work together to create an environment where all pupils feel valued, supported and encouraged. Many of the children at Eveline Day School graduate to independent secondary provision at some of the top schools in the country, including Kings College, Dulwich College, JAGS, Alleyns, Emanuel, Thames Christian College, Trinity, Woldingham and Whitgift; with a good number gaining educational scholarships. The latest acquisition for the Eveline Day Group, in 2017, was The Boulevard Nursery, adjacent to the Eveline Day School, in Balham. Building work in 2019 provided links through to the school, once again creating an innovative setting where children can be educated and cared for from 3 months to 11 years on one site. Maria’s family believe that the success of the Eveline Day Group is about giving every child the opportunity to be the best that they can be, in an environment which values and cares for the individual. The next generation of the family is now involved in the business and Maria’s grandchildren, Lucy, Adeline and Kelsey are at the forefront of development, ensuring the child-centred ethos of the schools, started in the 1960s, remains central to all policy and practice. For Maria’s family and the staff at each provision, every child really does matter.