Our Nurseries
We have three nurseries which offer full and part-time childcare, Monday to Friday, 8.00am - 6.00pm for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Our nurseries are located in SE5 and SE17.
Our nursery fees offer a competitive rate and include meals, snacks, wipes and reusable nappies. We also offer government funded places for 15 and 30 hours.
Our Approach
At 1st Place, we believe that every child is unique and full of potential. Our 3 nurseries deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and provide a learning experience inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.
An Educational Philosophy
Our approach is based on the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, which includes:
Encouraging children to take the lead in their learning.
Nurturing children’s ideas and theories.
Community support and parental involvement.
Recognising and celebrating the many ways that children have of expressing themselves (also known as ‘The Hundred Languages of Children’).
At 1st Place, we value children as individuals with unique needs, abilities and potential.
We foster a culture where children are respected as social beings and can feel safe to express themselves. We see children as creative thinkers and researchers, and we encourage them to explore hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and wonder. At 1st Place, childhood is valued in its own right along with the understanding that what children do is significant now and for the future.
Your Child’s Journey
We work in partnership with you to create a positive learning experience that is enjoyable for your child and supports their development.
This includes:
A pre-admissions meeting for us to discuss the shared care of your child including their routine and interests.
A home visit so that your child can meet their Key Person in their own environment before they start nursery.
A gradual settling-in period for your child to become familiar with the nursery environment and their new friends.
Regular communication about your child’s activities at nursery including observations, photos and videos. All accessible on a secure app on your computer or mobile device.
A parents’ meeting twice a year to discuss the overall progress of your child’s development.
A Parents’ Forum to explore different topics, answer any of your questions and provide an opportunity to meet other parents from across our nurseries.
Our Environment
The physical environment at our nurseries is designed to give children a personal space for action and movement including:
A light and shadow studio for exploration and discovery.
A studio where children can use open-ended materials to create and experiment.
A construction area for children to build their own world, role play and tell stories.
A remida filled with recyclable resources that children can use for their creations.
An outdoor area for garden play, and physical and creative activities.
Nursery Life
At 1st Place, your child will enjoy:
Indoor and outdoor play, circle time, snack time, individual and group activities, and sleep or rest time. Activities will be based on your child’s interests, will nurture their natural curiosity and will encourage learning through play.
Forest School sessions for nature-based play and hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment.
Trips including visits to the local library, the park and the theatre as well as bespoke trips further afield such as a special creative session with artists at the Tate.
Meals
Our mealtimes help to establish lifelong healthy eating habits and provide valuable social time to share and care. Our menu has been designed with a dietitian to ensure that it is healthy and well balanced, and we cater for individual dietary requirements and cultural differences including vegetarian and Halal options.
All of our meals are prepared in our on-site kitchen and include a range of options such as tomato and basil pasta, slow cooked lamb with roasted vegetables, and lentil pasta bake. Dessert is either a selection of fresh fruit, organic yoghurt or fresh fruit compote. Fresh water is served with all meals and throughout the day. All meals and snacks are included as part of your nursery fees.
Real Nappies
Our nurseries use real nappies (cloth nappies), which we provide free of charge. Unlike disposables, washable cloth nappies can be used again and again. Cloth nappies reduce our impact on the environment, can help children potty train earlier and are more cost effective for our families.
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Chumleigh Gardens
12 Chumleigh Street, London, SE5 0RN
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The Elephant
15 Hampton Street, London, SE17 3AN
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Lorrimore Square
Lorrimore Square, London, SE17 3QU
Please note, we are currently not accepting applications for Lorrimore Square.
“We love 1st Place - a gorgeous, light-filled, purpose-built space. A wonderful menu for the children with a hot meal cooked fresh daily on-site. Very competent, experienced staff that celebrate diversity in the community. We love 1st Place and recommend it highly.”
Bridget