Please contact the nursery on 020 8311 5491 Ext 2, for more details on day care costs and provision.
Our inclusive nursery settings provide an excellent foundation on which every child can build their future education within a caring, secure and stimulating environment where they feel valued and happy. Children acquire and develop skills through high quality play based learning.
We provide a welcoming, nurturing and safe environment and are passionate about working in partnership with parents. Equality, diversity, home languages and culture are highly valued and promoted throughout the setting.
Staff are encouraged to access regular training to update their knowledge and develop themselves both personally and professionally, in order to maintain and continuously improve the quality of care we provide.
Early Years Foundation Stage
We provide broad and balanced play based learning opportunities for children from 2 to 5 years based on the Early Years Foundation Stage, supporting the learning and development of children through the characteristics of effective learning
Our inclusive environment enables children to have the best possible start in life. Our nursery practitioners work closely alongside parents and carers to develop an understanding of children’s abilities, interests and stage of development. We then plan from the child’s interests and enthusiasm to support and extend their learning and provide activities where children learn, explore, engage and develop to their full potential.
We are proud to offer the following sessions: Forest School, Interactive Music Making, Cooking, Swimming, Balance Bikes, Speech and Language Group sessions and lots more.
Outdoor Play
The Early Year’s Foundation Stage clearly states that children must have access to outside provision all year around. Children enjoy playing outside in all weathers and benefit in many ways, some of which are listed below:
- It is fun exercising in the fresh air
- Children can learn to take risks and try new activities
- They can explore the natural environment
- Children have room to run around and shout
Fresh air and exercise are proven to be good for the development of the brain and for a general feeling of well being. Children can exercise their gross motor skills by running, climbing and jumping.
Children’s Day Care availability and costs
Waterways Nursery fee paying
15 hours fee paying for 2,3 and 4 year olds £100 per week Monday to Friday term time only, morning sessions 08.30 to 11.30 or afternoon sessions 12.30 to 15.30.
Full time or part time full day places £50 per day Monday to Friday 08.00 to 18.00 (minimum two days) in our Pre-school room (Age 3+).
Waterways Nursery 2, 3 and 4 year old funded hours
2 year old funding – We offer 15 hours per week as part of the Together for 2’s funding for eligible families: Monday to Friday term time only, morning sessions 08.30 to 11.30 or afternoon sessions 12.30 to 15.30.
3 and 4 year old funding – We offer 15 funded hours per week to all 3 and 4 year olds: Monday to Friday term time only morning sessions 08.30 to 11.30 or afternoon sessions 12.30 to 15.30.
3 and 4 year old funding – We offer 30 funded hours for eligible families Monday to Friday 09.00 to 15.00 term time only or three days per week term time only 08.00 to 18.00 subject to availability (NB: Parents pay £15 per week towards lunch/snacks - prices correct as of November 2020).
To apply for your 30 hour code please log onto https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare. It is parents responsibility to renew their codes every 3 months.
Mulberry Park 2 year old funded hours
2 year old funding – We offer 15 hours per week as part of the together for 2’s funding for eligible families Monday to Friday term time only morning sessions 08.45 to 11.45.
Meal times
As part of our commitment to keeping children healthy, we provide nutritionally balanced menus and cater for a range of dietary requirements.
Weekly menus are prepared and cooked on the premises by our in-house cook following ‘Eat Better Start Better’ government guidelines.
We offer milk and water to drink with meals and children have access to water throughout the day as well as providing self selection snacks which includes vegetables, fruits and breadsticks.
We provide three meals a day:
Breakfast
Breakfast consists of wholegrain cereals and/or whole meal and toast.
Lunch
Lunch menus are published monthly and displayed clearly for parents including allergen information. The varied menu includes all food groups such as rice, potatoes, pasta, chicken, meat, fruit and vegetables and vegetarian options.
Afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is a light snack such as soup with bread and butter, sandwiches or hummus with pitta bread and carrot sticks.
Activities
Just some of the examples of activities/resources we offer at our nursery:
- Forest Schools
- Balance bikes
- (ECAT) Every Child a Talker
- Sensory Room
- Music Therapy
- Interactive Music Making
- Swimming lessons
- Football sessions with Charlton Athletic
- Intergenerational Groups (our nursery children meet & play at our local ‘sheltered housing for the elderly)
Our family quotes
“My child has learnt how to play and share with other children as there is a range of activities to choose from. The settling in period worked very well and I’ve always found the staff to be very helpful”
“I found the home visit very useful, as my daughter got to meet her teachers and we were able to learn about the setting and the staff. My daughter enjoys being with her friends and has built a strong bond with them. She has grown in confidence, speech and vocabulary. She is more independent managing her feelings and behaviour better. There is a strong team at Mulberry Park Children’s Centre; they always have the child’s best interest at heart, very supportive and helpful”