Chelsea Open Air Nursery School offers state-funded nursery education in one of London's most unusual early years settings: a timber-framed building dating from 1587, alongside a seventeenth century workman's cottage, surrounded by a garden that has been central to the school's educational philosophy since its founding in 1928. This maintained nursery school in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea serves children aged 2 to 5 with an outdoor learning ethos that has earned Outstanding ratings from Ofsted across four consecutive inspections, most recently in July 2024. With fully trained Forest School Leaders embedding outdoor practices into daily school life and a commitment to free-flow learning whatever the weather, Chelsea Open Air represents a distinctive approach to early childhood education rooted in the belief that outdoor environments are as valuable as indoor classrooms for young children's development.
Founded in 1928 by Dr Susan Isaacs and Natalie Davies, Chelsea Open Air Nursery School emerged from a countrywide educational movement that recognised children's need for fresh air, sunlight, exercise, and outdoor learning opportunities. The 'Open Air' name reflects this founding philosophy, which in the 1920s represented pioneering thinking about the equal value of outdoor and indoor learning environments. Nearly a century later, this philosophy remains central to the school's identity and practice.
Under the leadership of headteacher Talia Robinson, who has served since June 2016 and also acts as the school's SENCo, Chelsea Open Air maintains an inclusive ethos that embraces outdoor learning in all weathers. The school welcomes up to 70 children from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, creating a diverse community within the historic Chelsea setting. Staff expectations are high, with a particular focus on developing communication and language skills from the earliest stages.
The historic buildings and garden provide what inspectors have described as "a labyrinth of exciting places for children to learn and play, whatever the weather." The site's history adds character—the buildings once served as artists' studios, including for the painter Benjamin Haydon—whilst the garden has evolved into a carefully designed learning environment that combines natural spaces with purposeful educational areas. The twenty-first century garden, central to the school's philosophy, works alongside indoor areas to provide what the school describes as "a complete and balanced learning environment."
Parents and visitors consistently note the happy, engaged atmosphere. As Ofsted's Lead Inspector observed in 2019, "Children are very happy here. They explore the wonderful outdoor area, which is at the centre of the leaders' vision." The school's approach is calm and nurturing, supporting each child to become an independent lifelong learner through play that allows risk-taking, experimentation, and wonder in what is described as a fun, colourful, and creative environment.
As a nursery school, Chelsea Open Air does not participate in statutory Key Stage assessments. However, the school's educational approach and outcomes have been consistently recognised as outstanding by Ofsted inspectors. The school received Outstanding ratings in May 2007, November 2009, October 2012, September 2019, and most recently in July 2024, maintaining exceptional standards across nearly two decades of inspections.
The curriculum is delivered through a play-based approach that integrates learning seamlessly with exploration. Staff demonstrate high expectations and professional expertise, encouraging children's communication skills and preparing them effectively for the next stage of their education. The school's most recent inspection highlighted excellent integration of play and learning, with high levels of child engagement throughout the day.
Chelsea Open Air employs highly qualified staff including teachers with Qualified Teacher Status, fully trained advanced Forest School Leaders, and specialists in special educational needs and disabilities. With 4.8 full-time equivalent teachers and 1.8 teaching assistants, alongside 7.6 non-teaching staff members, the school maintains a pupil-to-teacher ratio of approximately 9:1, allowing for individualised attention and support.
The school's approach to special educational needs is particularly strong, with headteacher Talia Robinson serving as SENCo and ensuring that children with SEND receive excellent support. Ofsted inspectors have highlighted the school's effective provision for children with additional needs, noting that all staff are well-trained, professional, and supportive. Safeguarding training is comprehensive, with all staff knowing what they need to do to keep children safe.
The Forest School programme, led by advanced-level practitioners, embeds outdoor learning practices into daily school life. Children access Forest School both through the school's unique garden setting and through expeditions into the local community. This approach extends beyond occasional outdoor sessions to become a fundamental part of how learning happens at Chelsea Open Air.
The school's facilities are anchored by its historic buildings and extensive garden, offering an environment unlike typical London nursery settings. The timber-framed building from 1587 and the seventeenth century cottage provide characterful indoor spaces, whilst the garden offers varied outdoor areas for different types of play and learning.
The school operates a free-flow environment, meaning children have access to both indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the day, all year round. This approach reflects the founding belief that outdoor environments support all areas of learning and are integral to children's development. In modern Chelsea, where many children lack access to safe but challenging outdoor play spaces, this provision remains particularly valuable.
The garden itself is described as magical by those who visit, providing diverse opportunities for exploration, creativity, physical development, and discovery. Forest School activities take place within this setting, with children experiencing natural materials, seasonal changes, and outdoor challenges as part of their everyday learning. The location in the heart of Chelsea also allows the school to make use of nearby parks, gardens, and community spaces, with proximity to landmarks such as the Chelsea Physic Garden enriching the learning experience.
Community engagement forms an important part of school life. Stay & Play sessions welcome families to explore the outdoor environment alongside their children, providing relaxed, friendly opportunities for parents and carers to meet whilst children engage in themed learning experiences and garden exploration. Parent workshops and community programme activities feature throughout the year, supporting family learning and strengthening connections between home and school.
The school offers extended hours through additional morning and afternoon sessions, with breakfast and after-school club options available. Lunch is provided on-site. The school is registered with the Healthy Schools London programme, reflecting its commitment to children's wellbeing and healthy development.
Chelsea Open Air Nursery School offers government-funded nursery education places for children aged three and four, with up to 70 places available. The school also offers Rising Threes places (for two-year-olds) from the term in which a child turns three, and these places operate differently from the standard three and four-year-old provision.
Admissions typically take place in September or January, with occasional places offered in April. Rising Threes places are offered at the beginning of the term in which a child turns three. For two-year-olds, places may be available as a paid service or with funding for vulnerable children or working parents who meet eligibility criteria.
The school offers both standard 15-hour funded places and 30-hour extended places for eligible families. The 30-hour entitlement can be taken term-time only, Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Parents can check their eligibility for 30 hours through the government's online system at gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working. Families who qualify receive a voucher code that is checked each term during their child's enrolment.
Applications are made directly to the school rather than through the local authority's primary school admissions process. Prospective families can complete an application form and email it to the school, or for two-year-old funded places, apply through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea website.
Given the school's Outstanding Ofsted rating, unique facilities, and location in an affluent area of London, demand for places is likely to be strong. However, as a maintained nursery school, Chelsea Open Air serves local families across a range of backgrounds rather than operating as a selective or fee-paying institution. The school's commitment to welcoming children from diverse ethnic backgrounds suggests an inclusive admissions approach.
Parents considering Chelsea Open Air should visit the school's website at coans.rbkc.sch.uk or contact the school directly on 020 7352 8374 for the most current information about place availability, application deadlines, and admissions procedures for the upcoming year.
Chelsea Open Air Nursery School represents something increasingly rare in urban England: an early years setting where outdoor learning is genuinely at the heart of everything, not an add-on or weekly treat. The school's nearly century-old commitment to outdoor education, combined with its historic buildings and extensive garden in central London, creates an environment that feels both grounded in educational philosophy and remarkably distinctive.
The school's four consecutive Outstanding Ofsted ratings reflect consistent excellence rather than a single moment of success. Inspectors' observations about happy, engaged children and the wonderful outdoor area at the centre of the school's vision align with the lived experience parents describe. The combination of highly qualified staff—including Forest School Leaders and SEND specialists—with a pupil-to-teacher ratio of around 9:1 ensures that children receive both expert teaching and individualised attention.
For families seeking a nurturing nursery environment where children can develop independence, confidence, and a love of learning through play in natural settings, Chelsea Open Air offers exactly what its name suggests: an education that happens as much outdoors as in, whatever the weather. The school's founding philosophy has proven remarkably enduring, and its relevance has, if anything, increased in an era when many young children have limited access to outdoor play and natural environments.
The school's inclusive approach, welcoming children from diverse backgrounds, and its maintained status mean that outstanding early years education is accessible to local families through government funding rather than requiring independent school fees. For children who will attend from age two or three through to school entry, Chelsea Open Air provides not just preparation for primary school but a distinctive early childhood experience that shapes how children view learning, nature, and their own capabilities.
Chelsea Open Air Nursery School is an excellent choice for families who value outdoor learning, want a nurturing environment with strong academic foundations, and appreciate a setting where history, nature, and educational excellence come together in the heart of London.
Yes, Chelsea Open Air Nursery School is an outstanding early years setting. It has received Outstanding ratings from Ofsted in four consecutive inspections spanning nearly two decades, most recently in July 2024. Inspectors consistently praise the school's wonderful outdoor provision, happy children, excellent staff, and effective preparation of children for their next stage of education. The school's unique approach to outdoor learning, combined with highly qualified staff including Forest School Leaders and SEND specialists, creates an environment where young children thrive.
Applications are made directly to the school rather than through the local authority's primary admissions process. For three and four-year-old places, parents can complete an application form available on the school's website and email it to the school. For two-year-old funded places, families should apply through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea website. The school typically admits children in September or January, with occasional April places. Rising Threes places are offered from the term a child turns three. Visit coans.rbkc.sch.uk/admissions or call 020 7352 8374 for current application information.
The school accepts children from age 2 to 5. Rising Threes places are available from the term in which a child turns three. The main government-funded nursery provision serves three and four-year-olds, with up to 70 places available. Children typically leave at the end of the academic year in which they turn five to begin primary school reception.
Yes, the school offers 30-hour extended places for eligible families. These places can be taken term-time only, Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 3.00pm. Parents can check eligibility through the government website at gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working. Families who meet the requirements receive a voucher code that is verified each term during their child's enrolment. The school also offers standard 15-hour funded places.
Chelsea Open Air was founded in 1928 as part of an educational movement recognising that outdoor environments are as valuable as indoor classrooms for young children. The school's approach goes beyond occasional outdoor play—children have free-flow access to the garden throughout the day, all year round, whatever the weather. The school employs fully trained advanced Forest School Leaders who embed outdoor practices into daily school life. The extensive garden provides varied spaces for exploration, risk-taking, and discovery, whilst the school's location allows access to nearby parks and community spaces. This commitment to outdoor learning has remained central to the school's philosophy for nearly a century.
Chelsea Open Air Nursery School occupies a timber-framed building dating from 1587 and a seventeenth century workman's cottage. These historic buildings, located at 51 Glebe Place in Chelsea, once served as artists' studios, including for the painter Benjamin Haydon. The buildings provide characterful learning spaces whilst the surrounding garden has evolved into the carefully designed outdoor environment that remains at the heart of the school's educational approach today.
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