Lead Settings and Schools

Berties Nursery

Berties Nursery is located in Faversham, Kent offering childcare and early education for children aged 2.5 years to school age. They were graded outstanding by Ofsted in Dec 2022.

‘‘Natural Thinkers has prompted practitioners to reflect on the endless open-ended possibilities that is offered by the outdoor environment and that it is not necessary to provide lots of resources.” Claire Akhurst – Owner

Berties Nursery became involved with the Natural Thinkers programme through a development grant given to NCB by the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). The grant was to involve settings in Kent to develop children’s self-regulation and executive function skills through connecting to nature.

Claire Akhurst embraced the programme as it aligned with what the nursery was already offering. She said the programme has inspired her and the wider staff team, children and parents to take even more joy in their outdoor space. The staff team have noticed increased levels of children’s wellbeing and involvement and resilience

Since being accredited in June 2024 the nursery continues to embed the programme further and are a great example of how practitioners can use nature as a learning resource to spark children’s imaginations.

Get in touch to arrange a visit:

Email: bertiesnursery@outlook.com

Website: www.bertiesnursery.co.uk

Address: Bertie’s Nursery

Davington Primary School

Priory Row

Faversham

Kent ME13 7EQ

Rowland Hill Nursery School and Children’s Centre

Rowland Hill Nursery School and Children’s Centre is within the London Borough of Haringey offering education and care from 9 months to 5 year olds. They were graded outstanding by Ofsted in Sept 2022.

“A lot of our thinking and curriculum has grown up from the training we had from Natural Thinkers,” says Sian McDermott- Executive Headteacher. “It has given practitioners time to think about what experiences are right for our children before they enter primary school.”

Rowland Hill offer high quality outdoor provision, where children find pure joy through their connection to nature. Sian McDermott attributes this ‘joy’ to their curriculum, which is inspired by nature and provides plenty of opportunities for children to learn outdoors through all their senses. Seven years ago, Rowland Hill achieved Natural Thinkers status and were reaccredited in October 2023. They continue to develop and embed the work of Natural Thinkers through a seasonal calendar. They have become an example of how the programme really empowers staff and children through nature. The Children’s Centre also offer the Natural Thinkers programme through an intergenerational group held weekly.

Get in touch to arrange a visit:

Email: admin@rowlandhill.haringey.sch.uk

Website: www.rowlandhill.haringey.sch.uk

Address: Rowland Hill Nursery School and Children’s Centre

315 Whitehart Lane

Tottenham

N17 7LT

Surbiton Hill Nursery School

Surbiton Hill Nursery School is the only maintained Nursery school within the London Borough of Kingston Upon Thames offering education and care for 2 to 5 year olds. Their recent Ofsted in June 2025 stated that they had maintained standards since their previous inspection in 2020 graded as outstanding.

''We pride ourselves on offering a seasonal approach that takes into account what is happening in the moment within the environment. Bringing changes happening outdoors through the seasons and seasonal events happening within the community.'' Jacqui McDermid Deputy Head

Surbiton Hill Nursery are in essence an outdoor Nursery with a beautiful and exciting outdoor space for children to learn and thrive in. The staff team allow children to engage in all weathers and extend their skills through nature and children's interests. Surbiton Hill was always an outdoor nursery, but since Jacqui McDermid, Natural Thinkers Lead Trainer joined the setting, they have embraced the Natural Thinkers programme which has enabled them to put a framework around all the things they were doing with nature. Surbiton Hill Nursery also have a specialist provision for children with social communication difficulties.

Get in touch to arrange a visit:

Email: office@shn.kingston.sch.uk

Website: https://surbitonhillnursery.uk/

Address: Surbiton Hill Nursery School
Middle Green Close
Alpha Road, Surbiton KT5 8TD

Current Accredited Settings

(Accreditation is valid for 3 years)

Maintained nurseries and schools

Brent LA

· Curzon Crescent Nursery School, Curzon Crescent, Harlesden NW10 9SD – November 2023

· Fawood Nursery School, Fawood Avenue, Stonebridge NW10 8RF – November 2023

Haringey LA

· Rowland Hill Nursery School and Children’s Centre, White Hart Lane, London N17 7LT – Reaccredited October 2023

Kent LA

· Sheldwich Primary School, Lees Court Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 0LU – June 2024

Kingston Upon Thames LA

· Surbiton Hill Nursery School, Middle Green Close, Alpha Road, Surbiton KT5 8TD –July 2025

Lambeth LA

· Herbert Morrison Primary School, Hartington Road, London SW8 2HP – July 2024

· Holmewood Nursery School, Upper Tulse Hill, London, SW2 2RW – Reaccredited June 2024

· The EYFS at The REAY Primary School, Hackford Road, Vassall, SW9 0EN - October 2023

Private, Voluntary and Independent Settings

Haringey LA

· Rosebuds Preschool, Max Roach Centre, Wiltshire Rd, SW9 7NE – Reaccredited June 2024

· Armadillos Nursery and Pre-School, 23 Eastlake Road, London SE5 9QJ – June 2024

· Magic Roundabout Nursery, Surrey Hall, Binfield Road, SW4 6TB – June 2024

· The Nest Preschool, 50 Knatchbull Rd, London SE5 9QY – Reaccredited May 2024

Kent LA

· Bertie’s Nursery, Davington Primary School, Priory Row, Faversham, ME13 7EQ – June 2024

· Just Kidz Nursery at St Edwards, 8Th Sheppey Scout Hut Broad Street, Blue Town ME12 1EA – June 2024

· Kidz City Nursery, 1 Bridge House Bridge Road, Sheerness ME12 1RH – June 2024

· Little Hedgehogs Pre-School, Sheldwich Primary School, Lees Court Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 0LU – June 2024

· Little Nomads, Childminder, littlenomads2@gmail.com – June 2024

· St Mary’s Playgroup, Orchard Place, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8AP – June 2024

Stay and play and community settings

Haringey LA

· Rowland Hill Nursery School and Children’s Centre, White Hart Lane, London N17 7LT – Reaccredited October 2023

Lambeth LA

· Liz Atkinson Children’s Centre, 9 Mostyn Road, Herne Hill, SW9 6PH – July 2024

· Loughborough Farm Seedlings, Loughborough Junction Farm, Loughborough Road, London, SW9 7EL – July 2024

· Brockwell Park One O’Clock Club, Effra Children’s Centre, Brockwell Arlingford Road, Brixton, SW2 2TA – Reaccredited June 2024

· Ethelred Children’s Centre, 1 Gundulf Street, London SE11 6BG – October 2023

· St Stephen’s Children’s Centre – October 2023