Goldsmiths Community Nursery

Pet chickens, growing vegetables and caterpillars becoming butterflies give Goldsmiths Community Nursery a recognisable character. In July 2024, these were practical ways for children to learn about living things, with the garden supplying experiences that could be discussed and explored indoors.

At its July 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good overall and found that children settled comfortably and progressed well. The setting has capacity for 24 children, with an age range of 0 to 60 months, at Goldsmiths Community Centre in London.

In July 2024, learning involved handling materials and trying things out. Children made collages using petals alongside paper and card; babies investigated paint, water and sand through touch. These experiences gave different ages ways to explore texture and make choices.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: here, its everyday meaning included practising language, movement and early mathematics through play and routines. In July 2024, children counted chairs around meals and used tape measures on their brick constructions. Numbers had a practical purpose.

Language work also grew from activities. Staff introduced vocabulary while discussing flowers, alongside songs and stories. Learning about Hanukkah and Chinese New Year introduced celebrations, while books and play resources represented different cultures. These were opportunities to talk about difference through recognisable objects and occasions.

Physical opportunities varied by age in July 2024. Low equipment supported babies practising pulling up, with room to crawl; older children explored climbing and practised hitting balls with bats. The garden chickens added another kind of participation: children learned about caring for animals rather than simply looking at them.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged safeguarding effective. Familiar care routines from home helped staff support babies, while checks of indoor and outdoor spaces and assessments of the risks around chickens formed part of safety practice.

In July 2024, children practised independence by serving lunch and pouring drinks, with adults supporting babies as they learned to feed themselves. Tooth and gum models made toothbrushing something children could rehearse; drinking water and foods low in sugar supported the same health message.

Parents received progress updates and learning bags containing activities to continue at home. That gave families something concrete to use beyond a conversation about the nursery day. In July 2024, staff also had regular discussions with the manager about their work, and had undertaken training on supporting children with special educational needs.

The address is Goldsmiths Community Centre, Castillon Road, London SE6 1QD. Opening hours are 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with closures for bank holidays and Christmas.

In July 2024, the nursery accepted early education funding for children aged two, three and four. This is a dated participation statement rather than a promise of an individual funded place.

• Story time for two-year-olds. In July 2024, some younger children lost concentration during whole-group stories before lunch, and group organisation was the improvement priority. How are story groups now organised for this age?
• Babies’ home routines. Familiar care arrangements informed daily practice in July 2024. A settling discussion should centre on the routines that matter to your baby.
• Attendance and costs. The weekday opening window spans early morning to early evening. Which booking patterns and funded arrangements fit your week, and what would the written quotation include for meals and consumables?

Goldsmiths suits families drawn to practical learning about nature, early independence and activities they can continue at home. Its July 2024 examples are persuasive: caring for chickens, measuring constructions and practising toothbrushing make learning tangible. For parents of two-year-olds, the organisation of story groups deserves attention alongside those strengths.