The Anchor SENDfriendly Centre

Communication takes several forms at The Anchor SENDfriendly Centre: in May 2023, children used pictures, signing and speech to make themselves understood. That practical emphasis characterised this Plumstead setting in May 2023, with learning built around children's individual ways of communicating.

At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall and found safeguarding effective. The centre has capacity for 30 children, at Office 1, Block E, North Road, London SE18 1BS; the children attending in May 2023 were aged two to four.

In May 2023, learning emphasised communication, doing things independently and developing social skills. The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, the inspection-time examples included exploring play dough, taking turns with bubbles and using objects to understand changes in the day.

The Picture Exchange Communication System helped children communicate their needs through pictures, alongside speech and visual prompts. This gave children different routes into expressing themselves rather than relying on spoken language alone.

In May 2023, the immersive room offered smells and changing visual scenes, while the music room gave children instruments with which to investigate sound. Staff also introduced words during play, connecting vocabulary to what children were doing.

There was a clear limitation. In May 2023, adults sometimes described children's chosen activities rather than taking their thinking further. Water play provided an example: opportunities to explore why objects sank differently were missed. Children ready for greater challenge needed more stretching.

At its May 2023 inspection, Ofsted found effective work with other agencies, support for families through the educational healthcare plan pathway, and careful sharing of information as children started nursery or moved to school. For families managing several professionals' involvement, that coordination was a substantial part of the care offered.

In May 2023, staff gathered information from families and agencies and observed children from their first day. Those starting points informed activities and individual support. Adults also encouraged children practising with equipment to develop their walking, responding calmly to their efforts.

Allergy procedures were being put into practice in May 2023, and staff training covered differing feeding routines. These are dated care arrangements, rather than a description of a current meal package.

The address is Office 1, Block E, North Road, London SE18 1BS, in Plumstead, Greenwich.

In May 2023, opening hours were Monday to Friday, 9am to 3.30pm, during term time. Funded places for children aged two, three and four formed part of the offer at that time. These details describe the nursery's operation in that month.

• Challenge during play. In May 2023, children capable of taking their learning further did not consistently receive enough challenge. This matters alongside the individual communication support.
• The current nursery offer. The May 2023 nursery cohort was aged two to four and attended during term time. At a visit, what ages and attendance arrangements does the early-years provision now cover?
• Coordinated support. Information-sharing with other agencies and help with the educational healthcare plan pathway were features in May 2023. Families involving several services may place particular weight on this aspect.

The strongest fit is for families who value several ways of communicating and coordination between nursery, home and other professionals. The May 2023 picture combines purposeful individual support with a specific weakness in extending learning during play. Its term-time daytime operation at that date is also central to assessing the fit for family routines.