Chelwood Nursery School

Chelwood Nursery School in Brockley is an open-air nursery founded in 1939 that has earned four consecutive Outstanding Ofsted ratings, most recently in September 2021. Guided by the philosophy of early years pioneer Margaret McMillan, this state-maintained nursery places outdoor learning central to its educational approach, operating on the principle that "the best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky." Serving children aged 2 to 5 in the Lewisham borough, Chelwood offers both government-funded and paid places across extensive outdoor learning environments including a treehouse, sandpit, and vegetable gardens. The nursery's commitment to fresh-air education and child-led exploration has established it as one of the capital's most distinctive early years settings.

Established in 1939, Chelwood Nursery School has maintained an unwavering commitment to open-air education for over eight decades. The nursery's founding coincided with a period when Margaret McMillan's pioneering theories on outdoor learning and child health were reshaping early years provision across Britain, and Chelwood has remained faithful to these principles throughout its history.

The school's mission centres on developing confident and independent children who can make informed choices and decisions for themselves while cultivating a caring, considerate and responsible attitude towards others and their environment. This philosophy is embedded in the daily rhythm of nursery life, where consistency through regular sessions, familiar peer groups and stable staff teams provides the foundation for developing essential life skills. Under the leadership of Headteacher Angelika Alleman, who joined in November 2023, the nursery continues to balance time-honoured traditions with contemporary early years practice.

Chelwood's atmosphere reflects its open-air heritage. Whatever the weather, children spend the majority of their day outdoors, engaging with natural materials and exploring purpose-built learning spaces. The school's anti-racism commitment and inclusive ethos create a welcoming environment for Brockley's diverse community, while active communication channels—including regular parent engagement and a vibrant social media presence—maintain strong links between home and nursery.

As a nursery school, Chelwood does not participate in formal academic assessments, but Ofsted's September 2021 inspection provides clear evidence of exceptional educational provision. Inspectors found that "reading is central to everything children do at this school" and praised staff for being "highly skilled in deciding how to support children and selecting activities for them to do."

The curriculum follows a play-based, child-led approach rooted in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Teachers introduce mathematical language from the outset, embedding numeracy concepts naturally into outdoor play and exploration. Children encounter literacy through stories, songs and environmental print, while their physical development benefits from constant access to climbing, balancing and gross motor activities across the outdoor spaces.

Staff expertise in adapting teaching approaches ensures that children with special educational needs and disabilities take a full part in learning. Ofsted noted that teachers are "equally skilled at adapting their approaches to support children with SEND to learn exceptionally well." Parents speak highly of how staff include them in deciding how to teach their child, creating a genuine partnership between home and nursery.

With approximately 135 pupils on roll and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of 28:1 (though substantial teaching assistant support brings the overall adult-to-child ratio much lower), children receive consistent attention within their key person groups. The school's stable staffing—with 5 full-time equivalent teachers and 7.12 teaching assistants—enables children to form secure attachments that support their emotional development and willingness to explore.

Chelwood's facilities reflect its distinctive educational philosophy. The outdoor spaces form the core learning environment, featuring a treehouse that encourages physical challenge and imaginative play, a large sandpit for sensory exploration and construction activities, and vegetable gardens where children grow produce including kale and lettuce. These spaces are designed to promote first-hand experience and active learning through all seasons.

The nursery's natural play areas allow children to engage with loose parts, water play, and creative activities without the constraints of indoor classrooms. This approach aligns with Forest School principles, giving even very young children opportunities to assess risk, develop resilience and build confidence through outdoor challenge. Children enjoy learning outside in the fresh air whatever the weather, properly equipped with outdoor clothing that enables year-round exploration.

Beyond the physical environment, Chelwood offers wraparound care to support working families, extending the hours available beyond core nursery sessions. The school maintains an active programme of events and celebrations that bring families together and mark children's achievements, while its social media channels document daily life and share the nursery's commitment to outdoor learning with the wider community.

Chelwood Nursery School operates admissions directly rather than through Lewisham's coordinated primary admissions system. Applications are made directly to the school, and tours are offered to prospective families throughout the year.

The nursery applies Lewisham's standard priority criteria for maintained nursery schools. Places are offered first to looked-after children, then to children with specific medical or social needs, followed by those with siblings already attending the nursery (note that siblings in Year 6 of primary school who will have left by the admission date do not confer priority). Once these categories are filled, remaining places are allocated to Lewisham residents based on straight-line distance from the child's home address to the nursery.

With capacity for approximately 140 children and current roll around 135, Chelwood typically operates near full capacity, reflecting demand for high-quality nursery provision in the Brockley area. The nursery offers both morning and afternoon sessions as well as full-day places, accommodating different family needs. Both government-funded places (15 or 30 hours depending on eligibility) and paid places are available.

Parents applying for nursery places should note that while the school maintains a waiting list, there is no formal appeals process for nursery admissions. Applications should be made directly to the school via their website or by contacting the school office on 020 7639 2514. Given the nursery's Outstanding Ofsted rating and distinctive educational approach, interested families are advised to apply early and arrange a visit to experience the outdoor learning environment first-hand.

Chelwood Nursery School offers something genuinely distinctive in London's early years landscape: authentic outdoor education delivered by a team of highly skilled practitioners within a state-maintained setting. Its four consecutive Outstanding Ofsted ratings reflect not temporary excellence but sustained quality over many years, rooted in clear educational principles and unwavering commitment to child development through nature and play.

For families who value outdoor learning, child-led exploration and a less formal approach to early years education, Chelwood represents an exceptional opportunity. The nursery's Margaret McMillan-inspired philosophy translates into daily practice that prioritises physical health, emotional wellbeing and genuine independence alongside early literacy and numeracy development. The stability of the staff team and the consistent routines provide security for very young children while the extensive outdoor spaces offer endless opportunities for discovery and challenge.

The school's location in Brockley positions it well for families in central and southern Lewisham, though the distance-based allocation means those living closest have the strongest chance of securing a place. Its wraparound care provision and flexible session patterns support working parents, while the strong home-school partnership ensures families feel genuinely involved in their child's learning journey.

Chelwood is particularly well-suited to families seeking an alternative to indoor, highly structured early years settings, and to children who thrive with physical activity, sensory experience and natural materials. The nursery's inclusive approach and proven expertise with SEND ensures that children with additional needs benefit from the same high-quality provision as their typically-developing peers.

Parents should recognise that Chelwood's open-air ethos means children will be outdoors in all weathers, requiring appropriate clothing and a family mindset that values outdoor play. For those who embrace this approach, Chelwood offers a remarkable foundation for the early years—one that respects childhood, promotes wellbeing and develops genuinely confident, independent learners ready for their next educational steps.

Is Chelwood Nursery School a good school?

Yes, Chelwood Nursery School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, a judgement it has maintained across four consecutive inspections including most recently in September 2021. Inspectors found staff to be highly skilled in supporting children's learning, with reading central to everything children do and exceptional provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

How do I apply to Chelwood Nursery School?

Applications are made directly to the nursery rather than through Lewisham's coordinated admissions system. You can apply online via the school's website at www.chelwood.lewisham.sch.uk or contact the school office on 020 7639 2514. The school offers tours for prospective families, and families should contact the nursery directly for current availability.

What age range does Chelwood Nursery School serve?

Chelwood serves children aged 2 to 5 years. The nursery offers both government-funded places (15 or 30 hours depending on eligibility) and paid places, with options for morning sessions, afternoon sessions or full-day attendance.

What is the outdoor learning approach at Chelwood?

Chelwood follows Margaret McMillan's open-air nursery philosophy, with children spending most of their day outdoors regardless of weather. The school believes "the best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky," and provides extensive outdoor spaces including a treehouse, sandpit and vegetable gardens for child-led exploration and play-based learning.

What are the admissions criteria for Chelwood Nursery School?

The nursery follows Lewisham's standard priority criteria: first looked-after children, then children with medical or social needs, then siblings of current nursery pupils (not siblings who will have left before admission), and finally Lewisham residents by distance from home to school. Places are allocated based on straight-line distance after priority categories are met.

Does Chelwood Nursery School offer wraparound care?

Yes, Chelwood offers wraparound care to extend the hours available beyond core nursery sessions, supporting working families who require longer childcare hours.