God's Grace Daycare

Language learning and museum visits gave God's Grace Daycare a recognisable educational character in October 2024, but a later welfare notice makes safeguarding and staffing the decisive consideration for parents. This South Bermondsey setting has capacity for 40 children at 163 Ilderton Road, London SE16 3LA.

At its October 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, with effective safeguarding, positive learning progress and support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. That judgement needs to be read alongside the July 2026 regulatory action below.

In October 2024, stories, singing and conversation helped children develop vocabulary, including children learning English as an additional language. Staff introduced words for familiar household objects, giving children practical language for expressing themselves.

The early years foundation stage sets requirements for children's learning, development and care; here, the October 2024 day included language practice, social learning and activities about the wider world. Museum visits supplied experiences children could bring into their nursery play. Activities built on what children already knew, rather than treating each new topic as a fresh start.

Sharing and taking turns were part of that daily learning. In October 2024, children practised listening to instructions and considering other children's feelings. Independence was less consistent: some staff did not consistently encourage children to do things for themselves.

In October 2024, children had close relationships with their key persons, and communication with families included ideas for continuing learning at home. Staff monitored development and arranged further practice when children struggled with a skill. Work with parents and outside professionals formed part of identifying additional learning needs.

In its outcome dated 31 July 2026, Ofsted stated that a regulatory visit on 22 July had identified failures to meet requirements and resulted in a welfare requirements notice covering safeguarding leadership, recruitment, staffing and records. The notice required action by 10 August 2026.

The required changes included clearer safeguarding responsibilities and refreshed training for lead staff. Recruitment actions covered suitability checks, additional checks following overseas work or residence, identification and vetting records, and resolving differences between references and applicants' accounts before appointment.

A deputy needed to be designated to cover the manager's absence. The notice also required staffing ratios to be maintained, staff deployment to meet children's needs, and records supporting safe management and information sharing. The July outcome stated that the setting remained registered and that its response would be monitored. These are substantial care considerations.

The address is 163 Ilderton Road, South Bermondsey, London SE16 3LA. Opening hours are 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, across the year, with bank holiday closures.

In October 2024, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement, rather than a promise of a funded place today.

• July 2026 welfare notice. The required changes reached recruitment, safeguarding leadership and daily staffing. Before joining, ask to see the formal outcome of the actions due on 10 August 2026.
• Independence and participation. October 2024 improvement points concerned opportunities to do things independently and staff deployment during activities. On a visit, discuss how practitioners now help children try tasks and join in.
• Attendance and costs. The weekday opening window is lengthy. What booking pattern and written charges, including meals and non-food consumables, would apply to your child?

God's Grace Daycare merits consideration by South Bermondsey families interested in the language work and learning beyond the nursery described in October 2024. The later welfare notice must carry greater weight in a present-day decision. A favourable educational judgement from 2024 cannot settle the safeguarding and staffing questions raised in July 2026.