Rachel McMillan Nursery School is a Local Authority State Nursery School, in the heart of the Deptford community. Right on our doorstep here in Greenwich. First opened in 1914, they are world-renowned, Ofsted Outstanding Nursery School thought to be the first ‘first ‘Open Air’ Nursery in the whole of England!
Founders, Margaret and Rachel McMillan, believed children learn best if they are healthy and active with space where children can be out playing in the fresh air for most of the day. The McMillan sister’s ideas about early play and childhood education have been followed and talked about across the world.
The atmospheric school was built to create a village feeling and is located in a large, lovely, semi-wild garden. It is a beautiful space to be a child, encouraging curiosity, exploration and wonder.
The staff are an experienced and dedicated team and include qualified teachers with an Early Years specialism, practitioners and teaching assistants. The staff support children’s emotional well-being and develop children’s learning by encouraging and helping thinking through conversation and by providing a rich and varied play-based curriculum. Children make excellent progress there.
The Nursery School is for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds. Children can attend for a part-time or full-time place as well as have extra hours in our Breakfast or Tea club (Extended Day). We are open 8 a.m. -6 p.m. 39 weeks of the year (term-time) and 9 a.m.-5p.m. for an additional 6 weeks of the school holidays.
Several parents, we’ve spoken to sing the praises of Rachel McMillan. With many multi-generational families choosing to send their children here. One mum, we spoke to remembers fondly, her grandmother’s memories of being a child in the playground. (Maybe she’s pictured above!)
If you think Rachel McMillan is the Nursery school for you and your child take a look at some of the options below.
Places for 2-year-olds:
1. You may be eligible for a ‘Together for Two’s’ place which is a 15-hour place (5 mornings for 3 hours OR 5 afternoons for 3 hours) free to you and funded by the Government. Please phone the school or go to www.greenwichfamiliesinformation.org.uk to find out if you are eligible.
2. You can also buy a nursery place for your 2-year-old if you are not eligible for a funded place (minimum number of sessions applies).
Places for 3 and 4-year-olds:
1. All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to a free 15-hour place (5 mornings for 3 hours OR 5 afternoons for 3 hours). This is funded by the Government.
2. You may be entitled to a free ’30 hour’ place (5 days for 6 hours) which is funded by the Government to help working families pay for childcare. Please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to find out if you are eligible.
All families can buy additional hours either within the core nursery day or for Breakfast Extended Day or Tea Extended Day.
Please visit www.rachelmcmillannursery.co.uk if you want to find out more, but nothing will give you a better sense of the school than going to visit them. Phone (0208 692 4041) to arrange a visit.
They also have an upcoming Open Morning on 18th May (10.30-12.30pm).
We know you and your child will be most welcome!