Maytree Nursery School is a state-maintained nursery in Clapham, Lambeth, serving children aged 2 to 4 and holding an Outstanding Ofsted rating awarded in April 2024. Recognised as an Early Excellence Partner School for 2024/25, the nursery is part of a federation of five Lambeth nursery schools. Operating from an open-plan setting on the Clapham Park Estate, Maytree offers extended hours from 8:00am to 5:45pm, including breakfast, after-school, and holiday provision. The nursery's linked gardens feature dedicated vegetable plots, a forest school area, and a pond, supporting outdoor learning as a core element of its curriculum. Maytree is one of 85 pupils on roll, with highly qualified staff and a Children's Centre providing family support services from pre-birth through to primary school age.
Maytree Nursery School opened in 1978 and evolved into a Children's Centre in November 2007, broadening its remit to serve families from the earliest stages of child development. Under the leadership of Head of School Melanie Miah and Executive Headteacher Luke Page, the nursery maintains a philosophy rooted in high expectations. The school's ethos emphasises that children rise to meet these expectations, learning self-control and growing in independence. This approach underpins a nurturing yet purposeful environment where young learners are supported to develop autonomy and resilience.
As a partner of Early Excellence, a respected organisation promoting inspirational learning in early years, Maytree hosts events and shares good practice across the sector. The federation structure with Effra, Ethelred, Holmewood, and Triangle Nursery Schools allows for collaborative working and the pooling of expertise. The atmosphere is one of calm professionalism, with four interconnected indoor areas and linked outdoor gardens that create a flow between child-led exploration and adult-guided activities. The presence of the Children's Centre on site reinforces the nursery's commitment to supporting not just children but whole families, offering stay-and-play sessions, family support, training courses, health services, and community activities.
Maytree delivers an early years curriculum centred on communication, language, literacy, numeracy, and personal, social, and emotional development. The nursery's most recent Ofsted inspection in April 2024 judged it Outstanding across all categories, continuing a strong inspection history that includes Outstanding ratings in 2015, 2009, and 2006, with a Good rating in 2012 before returning to Outstanding. Inspectors have highlighted the effectiveness of the nursery's teaching, with children making strong progress from their starting points.
Outdoor learning is integral to the curriculum. The forest school area provides hands-on experiences in woodwork, sawing, bark peeling, and hollowing out tubes to make decorative jewellery, encouraging risk-taking, creativity, and fine motor skill development. The vegetable garden and pond area introduce early science concepts and environmental awareness. Music therapy and interactive music-making sessions support language acquisition and emotional expression, while the use of Makaton by both adults and children ensures inclusive communication for all learners, including those with speech and language needs.
Special educational needs and disabilities are well-supported by a highly skilled team of teaching assistants led by the school's SENCo. The nursery welcomes children with SEND and tailors provision to individual needs, ensuring all children can access the full curriculum. Family Wednesday workshops engage parents in their children's learning, with high attendance rates demonstrating the strong home-school partnership. Regular assessment and record-keeping practices allow staff to track progress closely and plan next steps in learning.
Children benefit from an open-plan layout across four indoor learning areas, each designed to support different aspects of the curriculum. The linked gardens provide seamless access to outdoor play and learning throughout the day, with distinct zones for physical activity, creative exploration, and quieter reflection. The forest school area, vegetable garden, and pond are central to the nursery's outdoor provision, offering rich opportunities for sensory play, investigation, and environmental stewardship.
Extended hours from 8:00am to 5:45pm, including breakfast and after-school clubs, support working families. The nursery operates during school holidays, providing continuity of care for families who need it. The Children's Centre complements the nursery's work, offering a welcoming space for parents and carers to access support services, health advice, and community activities, strengthening the nursery's role as a local hub.
With approximately 85 children on roll and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 18:1, staff are able to provide close attention to each child. The team includes qualified teachers, early years educators, and teaching assistants, ensuring that children receive expert support across all areas of development. The small size of the setting fosters a strong sense of community and allows staff to build deep relationships with children and families.
Admission to Maytree Nursery School is managed by Lambeth local authority. For the 2024-25 admissions cycle, applications opened on 1 September 2023 and closed on 15 January 2024, with offers made on 16 April 2024. The nursery accepts applications for 2-, 3-, and 4-year-old places, with funded early education entitlements available for eligible families. Parents should consult Lambeth Council's school admissions pages and the nursery's website for the most current information on application deadlines and criteria for the 2025-26 academic year.
As a local authority nursery situated on the Clapham Park Estate, Maytree typically serves families from the surrounding neighbourhoods in Clapham and the wider Lambeth area. The nursery's Outstanding Ofsted rating and Early Excellence recognition make it an attractive choice for local families. Extended opening hours and holiday provision add to its appeal for working parents. While specific admissions data on the number of applications and offered places is not publicly available, the nursery's strong reputation and comprehensive provision suggest consistent demand from the local community.
Parents interested in a place should visit the nursery to see the environment and meet the staff, and submit applications through Lambeth's coordinated admissions process. The school's postcode is SW4 8EG.
Maytree Nursery School offers a high-quality early years experience for children aged 2 to 4 in Clapham, Lambeth. Its Outstanding Ofsted rating, awarded in April 2024, reflects the strength of its curriculum, teaching, and leadership. The nursery's focus on outdoor learning through forest school activities, vegetable gardening, and pond exploration provides a rich, hands-on curriculum that supports children's curiosity, independence, and resilience. Recognition as an Early Excellence Partner School for 2024/25 underscores the nursery's role in sharing best practice across the sector.
The federation structure with four other Lambeth nurseries enables collaboration and professional development, while the on-site Children's Centre provides valuable family support services. Extended hours and holiday provision make Maytree a practical choice for working families, and the inclusive approach to SEND ensures all children can thrive. The use of Makaton and the strong emphasis on communication and language development create an inclusive environment where every child's voice is heard.
For families seeking an Outstanding-rated nursery with a strong outdoor learning ethos, skilled and experienced staff, and a commitment to high expectations and independence, Maytree Nursery School is a compelling option in the Lambeth area. Its small size and close-knit community atmosphere, combined with the expertise and resources of a maintained nursery school, offer a solid foundation for children's early development.
Yes, Maytree Nursery School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted as of April 2024, reflecting high-quality teaching, curriculum, and leadership. The nursery is recognised as an Early Excellence Partner School for 2024/25 and has a strong inspection history, with Outstanding ratings in 2015, 2009, and 2006. Children benefit from a well-resourced environment, expert staff, and a curriculum that emphasises outdoor learning, communication, and independence.
Applications are managed by Lambeth local authority. For the most recent admissions cycle (2024-25), applications opened on 1 September 2023 and closed on 15 January 2024, with offers made on 16 April 2024. Parents should check Lambeth Council's school admissions pages and the nursery's website for the current year's deadlines and application process. Visiting the nursery is recommended to see the facilities and meet the staff before applying.
Maytree Nursery School accepts children aged 2 to 4 years. Places are available for 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, and 4-year-olds, with funded early education entitlements available for eligible families.
The nursery operates from 8:00am to 5:45pm, offering breakfast club, after-school club, and holiday provision. These extended hours support working families and provide continuity of care during school holidays.
Yes, Maytree welcomes children with special educational needs and disabilities and provides tailored support through a highly skilled team of teaching assistants led by the SENCo. The nursery uses Makaton to support communication and ensures all children can access the full curriculum.
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