Awards and Recognition

At Dulwich Montessori Nursery & Forest School, we are proud of the recognition our nursery, team and approach to early years education have received.

For us, awards are not simply about achievement. They reflect the care, creativity and commitment that go into providing a nurturing Montessori environment where children can develop confidence, independence and a genuine love of learning. They also recognise the dedication of our staff, the support of our families and the strong community values that shape everyday life at Dulwich Montessori.

NMT Nursery Awards 2026 Finalists

We are delighted to have been named a finalist in two categories at the NMT Nursery Awards 2026:

Best Forest or Beach School

Outdoor learning is an important part of life at Dulwich Montessori. Our children regularly take part in Forest School experiences, exploring nature, learning about the world around them and developing confidence through practical, hands-on activities.


Being shortlisted for the Forest or Beach School Awardrecognises our commitment to taking learning beyond the traditional classroom and giving children meaningful opportunities to explore, investigate, take appropriate risks and build resilience in the natural environment.

Community Nursery of the Year

We are equally proud to be a finalist for Community Nursery of the Year. We believe that a nursery should be part of the community around it. Throughout the year, our children take part in activities that help them develop an understanding of kindness, belonging and the wider world.

From our community art exhibition and Harvest Festival celebrations to supporting local food banks, cultural projects and activities connected with St Stephen's Church, we aim to create opportunities for children and families to engage with the community around them. Being recognised in this category is a wonderful reflection of the relationships that have developed between our nursery, our families and our local community.

Montessori Global Awards 2025 Finalist

In 2025, Dulwich Montessori Nursery & Forest School was selected as a finalist in the Montessori Global Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Montessori in Practice.

This was particularly meaningful to us because Montessori principles are at the heart of everything we do.

Our environment is carefully prepared to encourage children to become independent, confident and capable learners. Children are given opportunities to make choices, work at their own pace, develop concentration and take increasing responsibility for themselves and their surroundings.

Being recognised for our Outstanding Contribution to Montessori in Practicewas an achievement we were extremely proud of and reflected the dedication of our team to keeping Montessori principles at the centre of everyday nursery life.

More Than Awards

While we are enormously proud of every finalist place and recognition we receive, the most important measure of our nursery will always be the experiences of our children.

Our aim is to provide an environment where children feel happy, secure and valued, where they can develop independence and confidence, and where learning comes through curiosity, exploration and meaningful experiences.

Our award nominations are a wonderful acknowledgement that the things we value most — Montessori education, Forest School, community involvement and high-quality early years practice— are being recognised beyond our own nursery.

A Team Achievement

Every award and recognition belongs to the whole Dulwich Montessori community.

We are extremely grateful to our dedicated staff team for continually developing their practice, embracing new ideas and creating such positive experiences for the children.

We are also very thankful to our parents and families for their continued support and involvement in nursery life, and of course to our children, whose curiosity, enthusiasm and individuality are at the heart of everything we do.

We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together and look forward to continuing to develop Dulwich Montessori Nursery & Forest School and provide the very best experiences for the children in our care.

Montessori Accreditation

Dulwich Montessori Nursery & Forest School achieved full Montessori Education Accreditation Board (MEAB) accreditation and was successfully re-accredited in 2018.

The accreditation recognised the quality of our Montessori practice, including our prepared environment, the promotion of children’s independence and the way Montessori principles were embedded throughout the nursery.

Although the MEAB accreditation scheme is no longer available, we remain proud of this recognition of the nursery’s Montessori provision.

Dulwich Montessori Nursery School is committed to following the Montessori principles and approach to learning. The large and attractive open-plan classroom is well designed to offer an extensive range of activities and opportunities for children to enjoy their learning.

Early Years Nutrition Partnership

Dulwich Montessori Nursery & Forest School was recognised by the Early Years Nutrition Partnershipin 2019 for our commitment to supporting healthy eating and positive food experiences in the early years.

The programme recognised the importance we place on nutritious meals, healthy habits and helping children develop a positive relationship with food from a young age.

We continue to promote healthy eating as part of everyday nursery life.