L’Ecole des Petits School

In 1977, Madame Otten, a newly trained teacher from Paris, arrived in London. She quickly noticed a gap in the educational landscape. L’Ecole des Petits was born from this realization. L’Ecole des Petits began humbly in a rented church hall in South Kensington. Mme Otten, with the help of a friend, transformed the space. They decorated, furnished, and even built some of the furniture themselves. Five pupils, aged three to five, were the first to experience Mme Otten’s unique blend of the structured French curriculum and her own bilingual approach. This was a novel concept in London at the time. L’Ecole des Petits was the only bilingual establishment of its kind. As word spread, the demand for places at L’Ecole des Petits grew. By 1991, it was clear that a larger, permanent location was needed. Mme Otten found a derelict Victorian school building in Fulham. It had been empty since the 1950s. This building, formerly known as ‘The Princess Beatrice Social Centre’, had been inaugurated by the late Queen Mother in 1931. A plaque commemorating this event still graces the playground wall. The renovation aimed to create a ‘home from home’ atmosphere. L’Ecole des Petits wanted children and parents to feel safe, secure, and happy. The school’s capacity increased to 130 children. The core principle of bilingualism and bicultural education flourished. L’Ecole des Petits provided specialized English and French classes for children aged three to five. In 1995, L’Ecole des Petits reached a significant milestone. It became the first independent nursery school in the UK to be officially recognized as an ‘Ecole Homologue’ by the French Ministry of Education. Mme Otten’s dedication to international education was further acknowledged when she was honored as an ‘Officier des Palmes Academiques’ by France. Today, L’Ecole des Petits continues to provide a nurturing and enriching bilingual education. It serves as a testament to the vision and dedication of its founder, Mme Otten.