Chingford Forest Day Nursery, North East London

Time outdoors is an important part of wellbeing at Chingford Forest. Fresh air, active play and space to move are part of every day, while nutritious meals and snacks are enjoyed at relaxed, social mealtimes where children can develop independence and positive eating habits alongside their friends.

We work closely with families through daily conversations and the GrandirUK App, sharing photos, learning moments and updates from each child’s day. Regular meetings give families time to talk with the team about their child’s progress and next steps, and we are always available for questions or a chat.

Children at Chingford Forest enjoy sensory exploration, nature walks, cooking and baking, creative arts and imaginative play, alongside music and movement sessions. Cooking is a particular favourite, giving children hands-on opportunities to develop practical skills and explore early maths as they measure, mix and create. Regular trips into the surrounding woodland bring even more opportunities to explore nature and learn outdoors.

Our nursery rooms at Chingford Forest are arranged around the needs of each age group. The age ranges below are a guide, as we consider each child’s development and emotional readiness before supporting their move into the next room.

Babies, 3 to 16 months: Based in the front room upstairs, with easy access to the sensory room next door.

Older babies, 16 to 26 months: Based in the back room upstairs, also with access to the sensory room.

Toddlers, 2 to 3 years: Based downstairs, with direct access to our barked garden.

Forest preschool, 3 to 4 years: Based in a log cabin within our forest garden, creating plenty of opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration.

Our baby spaces provide calm, comfortable environments with sensory resources and soft areas to explore. As children move through the nursery, their surroundings evolve with them, with more opportunities for independent play and access to the outdoors. In preschool, dedicated areas for creativity, early literacy and problem-solving help children develop the confidence and skills they will draw on as they prepare for school.

Our sensory room is used by children across the nursery, with sensory lights, calming music and opportunities for quieter exploration.

Outdoor space

Outdoor learning is a big part of life at Chingford Forest. Our half-acre grounds include three separate garden spaces, our forest preschool cabin and natural play areas where children can climb, dig, explore and get active.

Children also regularly venture into the surrounding woodland, giving them opportunities to discover the natural world first-hand, explore changing seasons and build confidence through hands-on experiences outdoors.

Continuity matters to us. Many of our team stay with us for years, giving children the reassurance of seeing familiar faces each day.

These consistent relationships help children feel secure and comfortable at nursery, giving them confidence to explore, play and learn.

Our play-based curriculum is shaped by children’s interests and their natural curiosity, supporting their communication, independence, emotional wellbeing and wider development.

Daily forest-inspired activities give children opportunities to explore, solve problems and build resilience through hands-on experiences. In preschool, we also support early literacy and numeracy, helping children develop the skills and confidence they will draw on as they prepare for school.

We believe children learn best when they have plenty of opportunities to explore outdoors. Our half-acre grounds beside Epping Forest are an important part of nursery life, giving children space to dig, climb, investigate and build confidence through hands-on experiences.

Our forest preschool cabin brings outdoor learning into the everyday experience of our oldest children, giving them even more opportunities to spend time in nature as they play, learn and prepare for school.

Our three gardens are shared across the nursery, so siblings in different age groups have opportunities to see each other during the day.

Sibling places are subject to availability, but where we have space, our team will always explore the options with families.

Our caring, experienced team are at the heart of Chingford Forest, led by Nursery Manager Shamima. Many of the team have been with us for several years, giving children the reassurance of familiar faces and consistent relationships as they move through the nursery.

Our qualified Early Years professionals include practitioners with specialist training in outdoor learning. Every child also has a key person who gets to know them well, providing consistent care and support as they learn, play and grow.