Clyde Nursery School in Deptford, south-east London, serves as the borough's first integrated Family Hub, bringing early years education and family support services together under one roof since May 2023. This maintained nursery school for children aged 2–5 has earned Outstanding ratings for behaviour and personal development in its most recent Ofsted inspection (February 2024), with an overall effectiveness grade of Good. The school was shortlisted for Best Early Years Setting in the UK at the 2018 TES Awards and has a track record of Outstanding judgements in 2013, 2017, and 2022. With 74 children on roll and offering both 15- and 30-hour funded places, Clyde delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum through a child-led learning approach emphasising exploration, investigation, and social-emotional development. Located on Alverton Street between Greenwich and Surrey Quays, the nursery serves the Lewisham community with wraparound care including breakfast and after-school clubs.
Clyde positions itself as "a place where families and children learn together", reflecting its transformation into a Family Hub that integrates early education with broader support for parents and carers. The school's philosophy centres on child-led learning through exploration, operating on the principle that children learn best when they are supported and enabled to develop their own ideas and thinking. The aim is to develop confident and active learners equipped with the skills necessary for their educational progression.
The atmosphere is warm, nurturing and inclusive according to Ofsted inspectors, who noted that children are happy and enjoy their time at the nursery. The school often represents children's first independent learning experience, and the setting is designed to create a happy, purposeful environment where friendships flourish. Inspection findings highlight that children settle very quickly because of the way adults tailor support to help each child adjust to the nursery.
The integration of the Family Hub adds a distinctive dimension to the school's character. Beyond early years education, the site offers parenting and feeding advice, support with wellbeing and mental health, early language development services, and youth activities for young people aged 11 to 19. The hub operates from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, making it easier for families to access coordinated support services.
Clyde delivers the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum with teaching that emphasises tailored support for each child's development. Small-group activities target social-emotional skills including emotion management, behaviour control, turn-taking and listening. The school's Outstanding rating for personal development reflects its particular strength in this area, with inspectors noting that children make accelerated progress in their personal, social and emotional development.
The curriculum is delivered through a rich and varied environment designed to support children's learning and development, giving them confidence to explore in secure, safe yet challenging indoor and outdoor spaces. Children can access the outdoor area as they choose throughout the day, with adults supporting, extending and developing their learning. The school emphasises that being outdoors has a positive impact on children's sense of wellbeing and helps all aspects of development. Children are taught to use tools safely and to risk assess when using climbing equipment, with appropriate all-weather clothing provided so they can access the outdoor area in sunshine, rain or snow.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities are fully included and access all aspects of provision alongside their peers, according to the latest inspection. The school's approach to SEND support ensures that these children are integrated into all activities without separate provision.
The Outstanding rating for behaviour and attitudes underscores the effectiveness of the school's approach to early childhood development. While nursery schools do not produce formal academic results in the traditional sense, the inspection judgements and the school's consistent track record of Outstanding ratings over the past decade suggest strong outcomes in preparing children for their next educational steps.
The building spans two floors and houses multiple functions: a nursery school operating in term time, a day care nursery running year-round, and the children's centre. The ground floor accommodates the nursery school, day care, and a stay-and-play room. The first floor includes a sensory room, training room, counselling room, health room and computer area, reflecting the integrated Family Hub model.
The outdoor provision is a core feature of the learning environment. Children have access to climbing equipment and are encouraged to use outdoor spaces in all weather conditions as part of the school's commitment to outdoor learning. The curriculum design allows children to move freely between indoor and outdoor spaces, supporting their natural inclination to explore and their physical development.
The school organises community-focused trips and activities that involve families, including visits to the local fire station, Mudchute Farm, and picnics at Greenwich Park. These experiences extend learning beyond the nursery grounds and strengthen family engagement with their children's education.
Practical wraparound care includes breakfast club from 8am to 9am and after-school club from 3pm to 4pm, with additional flexible hours available. School lunches are provided, and families can access both 15- and 30-hour funded places depending on their circumstances and eligibility.
Ms Cathryn Kinsey serves as principal. The school office operates from 8am to 4pm, and families can make contact via telephone on 020 8692 3653 or email at admin@clyde.lewisham.sch.uk.
Admissions to Clyde Nursery School are managed directly by the school rather than through Lewisham Council's coordinated admissions scheme, as is standard for nursery provision. There is no set closing or decision date for applications. The main entry point is in September, although places may become available at other points in the year.
The school offers full-time and part-time places (30 and 15 hours per week) for children aged three and four years old. There are currently 32 funded places for two-year-olds whose families meet criteria set by the local authority and central government. Families seeking two-year-old funded places must check eligibility through the Lewisham Portal and bring proof of eligibility when applying.
Applications are made using a simple form available from the centre reception between 8am and 4pm or via the school's website at www.clydenurseryschool.co.uk. An online application form is also available.
When places become available, the school follows admissions criteria laid down by Lewisham Council in the following order of priority: children transferring internally from two-year funded places at Clyde; children in public care (looked after children); children with acute medical or social needs (exceptional circumstances); siblings on roll at the school on the closing date who will still be attending on the intended admission date and who live at the same address; children for whom Clyde is the nearest nursery school or class; and finally, nearness of the child's home to the centre. Proof of address is required in the form of council tax bills, child benefit letters or utility bills.
Given the school's Good overall Ofsted rating, Outstanding ratings for behaviour and personal development, and its integration with the Family Hub offering additional support services, parents should anticipate steady demand for places. However, the direct application system and the availability of both two-year-old and three-to-four-year-old places provide multiple entry points. Families are advised to apply early and to contact the school directly to discuss availability and the application process.
Clyde Nursery School offers a strong early years education within a unique integrated Family Hub model that extends support beyond the child to the whole family. The Outstanding ratings for behaviour and attitudes and personal development, combined with an overall Good judgement in the most recent inspection, reflect effective practice in early childhood education with particular strength in social-emotional development.
The school's child-led learning philosophy, emphasis on outdoor provision in all weathers, and inclusive approach to SEND create an environment where young children can explore, build confidence and develop the foundations for later learning. The recent transformation into Lewisham's first Family Hub adds considerable value by bringing together educational, health, wellbeing and parenting support services in one accessible location.
For families in Deptford, Greenwich and the surrounding areas seeking nursery provision with a strong developmental focus and wraparound support, Clyde represents a well-regarded option backed by consistent inspection outcomes and a clear educational philosophy. The direct admissions process and flexible entry points for both two-year-olds and three-to-four-year-olds provide accessibility, though early application is advisable given the school's reputation and the additional services it now offers through the Family Hub model.
Yes, Clyde Nursery School is a good school according to its most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2024, with Outstanding ratings for behaviour and attitudes and personal development. The school has a track record of Outstanding overall judgements in 2013, 2017 and 2022, and was shortlisted for Best Early Years Setting in the UK at the 2018 TES Awards. Inspectors found children to be happy in a warm, nurturing and inclusive environment, making accelerated progress in personal, social and emotional development.
Applications are made directly to the school using a form available from the centre reception (8am–4pm) or via the school website at www.clydenurseryschool.co.uk. An online application form is also available. Nursery admissions are not part of Lewisham's coordinated scheme, so there is no set closing date. The main entry point is September, though places may be available at other times. For two-year-old funded places, you must check eligibility through the Lewisham Portal and bring proof of eligibility with your application. Contact the school on 020 8692 3653 or admin@clyde.lewisham.sch.uk to discuss your application.
Clyde Nursery School accepts children aged 2 to 5. The school offers 32 funded places for eligible two-year-olds, and full-time and part-time places (30 and 15 hours per week) for three- and four-year-olds. The nursery also operates year-round day care provision.
The school office operates from 8am to 4pm. Breakfast club runs from 8am to 9am, and after-school club operates from 3pm to 4pm. Additional flexible hours are available. The nursery school operates during term time, while the day care nursery runs year-round.
Lewisham's first Family Hub opened at Clyde Nursery in May 2023, bringing together early years education and family support services in one location. The hub offers parenting and feeding advice, support with wellbeing and mental health, early language development services, and youth activities for young people aged 11 to 19. The Family Hub is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, making it easier for families to access coordinated support.
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