Rachel McMillan Nursery School and Children's Centre

FAQ

Reviews

• 

  Mr Bell

  A nursery that will certainly encourage positive sociological growth in children during the early learning stage; Rachel McMillan will strive to achieve this.Toddlers learn to share via selfless play and how to work productively in a group setting. The focus is very much based on a child centred approach; tailored to support each toddler's behaviour and learning needs.

  27-04-2023
• 

  Anna Gordon-Walker

  Rachel Mcmillan Nursery School is a real hidden gem, a rare state-funded nursery with an outdoor ethos, impressive history, a very large garden and fantastic staff. Our boys attended for 4 terms and had the best introduction to school life as I think is possible. They loved the free-range nature of it and spent most of their time outside, where there is so much to do and so much space for them to run around and explore. The staff are dedicated to creating fun activities indoors and outdoors and at the end of our boys’ time, they produced an amazing book of everything they’d got up to and all the learning they had achieved. All the while, the boys thought they were just playing and having fun. The management and staff of Rachel McMillan are wonderful and really committed to making this a very special place. There is a very low staff turnover which shows just how much they enjoy working there. It really is an unusual and wonderful place and I would highly recommend sending your children there. Go along to an Open Day or contact the school for a tour. They run the core 15 hours or 30 hours and also have wraparound breakfast and after-school clubs so offer real flexibility for parents.

  27-01-2023
• 

  EL-Bee Life

  Best nursery ever! It shaped my childhood! I was here in 1993. I am now 31 years old in 2022. In 2005/6 I did work experience here. So much nostalgia. 💗

  27-07-2022
• 

  Keith Granger

  I was at the Nursery in the late 1950s so happy to see that it's still going strong. I have attached 2 photos, I'm the young boy in the checked Shirt.

  27-07-2022
• 

  Nick Gazard

  This nursery is a gem. It has over 100 years of history of being different, with play at the heart of learning. The well-deserved Ofsted Outstanding ratings come from the staff who truly personalise the experience for each child. Each morning starts differently with a smorgasbords of activities laid out. It says something when you are jealous of how your child’s day will be even if your own is looking good! Our child, like others, was supported in their first experience of being somewhere for them, without parents. Singing, dancing, drama, creativity, numeracy and general confident have all been gently and intentionally developed. The space is focussed around outside space and shelters (classrooms orientated towards the outside) with encouragement to move and mingle between them. There is a ton of outside space with more toys than could ever be used. Trees, a pond, forest school, little shop, unusual and typical play equipment, it’s just the variety you’d want to see. During the settling in period it’s lovely to see how the freedom of the kids as they get to use it all. Btw the current headteacher, Rachel Hogarth, is typically found at the gates greeting children by name. But don’t let the nursery name confuse you with the original founders, who I’m sure were equally lovely. There are some historic photos from back then which feel similar to modern day and speak to how the nursery’s special ethos has been carefully nurtured through the years. Although we haven’t used it, there is a breakfast club and after-nursery support available for those who need it. Put another way, consider this nursery on your shortlist. The entrance might look like a wall with some quirky metal cat sculptures on-top, but really it’s a secret garden. Your child will love it, and so will you.

  27-07-2022
• 

  Lauren Rose Day

  27-05-2022
• 

  Apoorva Gupta

  Positive: Professionalism, Quality, Reliability, Responsiveness, Value

  27-05-2022
• 

  Slava Price

  My two daughters both attended Rachel McMillan nursery from age of two. This was not their first nursery as they were in a form of childcare from the age of six months. We moved them to Rachel McMillan after having a very mixed experience in other local and apparently also ‘outstanding’ nurseries. From very first day we have notice one very important difference in Rachel McMillan setting – the people in Rachel McMillan worked as a team with sole focus on children wellbeing. This principle was applied as much in my girls’ classrooms (shelters) as outside in the vast and well thought out play area. This meant that the girls were recognised by name from the moment they entered the building by various teachers as well as admin staff. They felt safe, loved felt and very comfortable confiding in any of the adults pass the gates. This also meant that if there ever was a problem, an accident, or an incident, we as adults knew that who ever we spoke to, knew our child. There was none of the: “ I didn’t see what happened, speak to key worker” nonsense. This was especially important in large setting like Rachel McMillan, where kids (pre-covid) freely mix with in other classrooms (shelters) and outside. My daughter once described the setting as “ different kingdoms of fun”. They however also developed very close bonds with their own key workers, seeing them as part of the family and repeatedly insisting that we invite them for ‘play in our house’ or ’tea’. They were guided and taught in very fluid and playful way, one which was completely suited to their age group and individual traits. It is true that they never “formally” sat down individually by their key worker and forced to learn numbers, letter etc as some of the other private nurseries do. The key workers however did something much more important - – they taught them to love learning. They did so through individual engagement, getting involved in kids’ activities (actually getting involved, not just watching from distance with a cuppa), answering children their questions, asking them questions about world around them and helping them to form friendships etc. Through their guidance both our girls became very inquisitive and excited as their knowledge base expanded. The rest happened naturally. We were so impressed with Rachel McMillan team that we delayed moving out of London until our older daughter had to start reception. This was simply because we knew that we would struggle to find another place like this. A Place that is OUTSTANDING in every sense of the word, not just on paper and not just at the time of OFSTED inspection. Since our little one entered reception, she excelled in every area and teachers repeatedly commented on how independent and knowledge thirsty she is. Our girls have been given great foundation to build on and lots of great warm memories. Even after the move, they still revisit their old nursery photo books and tell us stories about the “old days”. We felt privileged being part of Rachel McMillan family and getting to know all the great people behind those big walls. Thank you Rachel McMillan (stars don't do you justice!)

  27-05-2021
• 

  Zita Vasas

  This is a fantastic place! We moved our son there when he was 3.5 years old and he loved it from the first day. Loads of space for the children to be active, plenty of freedom so that they can become independent and many interesting activities. Children are allowed to play outside whenever, and the garden is huge, full of exciting stuff. The teachers are great, many of them have been working there for over 10 years and you can tell that they enjoy what they do. When the nursery reopened after the covid lockdown, my son was counting the days until he could go back!

  27-05-2021
• 

  Akosua Yeboah

  A very lovely nursery with excellent staff.All my three children attended this nursery and they all loved it.Sharon, Povi, Zaida and Jenny continue your hard work.You all deserve an award.

  27-05-2018