Kate Greenaway Nursery School and Children's Centre

About Kate Greenaway Nursery School and Children's Centre

Kate Greenaway Nursery School and Children's Centre is the only nursery in Islington rated Outstanding by Ofsted, placing it at the top of the borough's four state nursery schools. Its headteacher, Diana Valcheva, leads a mixed, non-religious setting for children aged 0 to 5, with 91 pupils currently enrolled. The school sits within a local landscape where no other nursery has matched its top inspection grade, making it a standout option for families seeking early years provision in the area. With 12.3 per cent of pupils eligible for free school meals, the school serves a diverse community. Its most recent ungraded inspection, carried out in January 2025, confirmed that standards remain high, and the school continues to hold an Outstanding rating for overall effectiveness, leadership and management, and early years provision — a grade it has maintained since at least 2010.

Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive. In the most recent Parent View survey, covering September 2024 to September 2025, 100 per cent of respondents said they would recommend the school, and every single parent agreed that their child feels safe. Strongly agree responses were high across the board: 93 per cent for happiness, 87 per cent for children doing well, and 80 per cent for both behaviour and personal development. The school also scored well on communication, with 73 per cent strongly agreeing they are made aware of what their child will learn, and 67 per cent strongly agreeing they are kept informed of progress. While the survey had only 15 responses, the consistency of positive answers is striking. Notably, 93 per cent of parents said bullying was not applicable, suggesting incidents are rare. The school also supports children with a range of special educational needs, including speech and language difficulties, autism, and social and emotional challenges.

Facilities include music rooms, a dining hall, a forest school, an outdoor playground, and a chapel, while sports on offer are swimming, dance, and gymnastics. Clubs include art and eco club, giving even the youngest children a taste of enrichment beyond the core day. The school is a nursery and children's centre, meaning it combines early education with family support services under one roof. For parents in Islington looking for a state-funded nursery with a proven track record, Kate Greenaway is the only Outstanding-rated option in the borough. Its small size, strong parental endorsement, and broad SEND provision make it particularly well suited to families who want a close-knit, well-regarded setting with a clear focus on safety, communication, and personal development from the very start.

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