Nurseries and Childcare Nurseries provide care, play and education for children under five years. Most offer part time places through to full time daycare. Nurseries can help your child to enjoy learning, play in a small groups and acquire skills for a head start at school.
Finding nurseries and childcare
Childcare information such as childminders, nurseries, pre-schools, parent and toddler groups and out of school clubs can be found on the Childcare Link website. If you need to speak to someone regarding childcare please contact the family information service helpline on 0800 013 0639.
Choosing a nursery
Visit more than one nursery and look at the facilities and activities on offer. If possible, ask the views of other parents with children at the nursery. For more information visit our page on choosing childcare.
There is often a big demand for full time places and places for babies and younger children. You may not always be able to get a place in the nursery of your choice.
The types of nurseries
There are several different types of nursery.
Community nurseries
Run on a not-for-profit basis, these are managed by a committee of parents and local people. They offer full and part time care for children between two and five years old. Some community nurseries may be registered to take children under two years.
Early years centres
There are nine early years centres in Southwark, offering full and part time care for children from birth to five years old.
Private nurseries
Private nurseries are independently run and charge fees, although your child may be entitled to a free part-time place.
Workplace nurseries
These are privately run, providing full or part time care for the children of college students or staff of the respective organisations. Each workplace nursery has its own admission criteria which may restrict places to certain categories of student or employee.
Nursery schools and classes
These are classes for children over the age of three during school hours and term time only. Often part time, they are usually attached to schools. Please visit our school admissions page.
Nursery costs
Full time fees range between approximately £100 and £200 per week. Many nurseries provide free early years education for three and four year olds funded by the government. Details of this nursery education grant.
Early learning goals
If your child is three or four and using a free part time pre-school or early education place, staff will ensure your child is moving towards the ‘early learning goals’. These include learning about numbers, learning about reading and writing, and learning to take care of him or herself.
Your child will be encouraged to develop skills, understanding and knowledge in
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Communications, language and literacy
- Mathematical development
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Physical development
- Creative development
The aim is for children who are nearly six years old, ie entering year one at school, to be able to count to ten and know the alphabet.
Safety and quality
All nurseries whether local authority, private or community, are registered with  Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) and are regularly inspected for the childcare and education they provide. Nurseries registered to receive the nursery education grant undergo further Ofsted inspections to show they are following the foundation stage curriculum, working towards the early learning goals.
All staff are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau. At least half the staff must be trained to work with children. A regular check on the nursery premises ensures the building is safe and suitable for children.
Contact
Family information service
Freephone: 0800 013 0639
family.info@southwark.gov.uk
www.southwark.gov.uk/cypdirectory
15 Spa Road
London
SE16 3QW
Opening hourse: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (and out of hours answerphone)
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