Collingham Gardens Nursery Group - Grant aided by Camden Grants Unit 

Collingham Gardens Nursery provides full time day care ( 9a.m. - 5p.m. weekdays) for 48 weeks a year. We are registered to care for 24 children. We have a room for eight two year olds with two qualified members of staff, Joy (deputy) and Mary, both of whom have many years of experience, and have been here for over five years. The room for sixteen three and four year olds has two qualified members of staff., Emma and Nisha. All our staff are level 3 or above. Three staff are currently studying for their degree in Early Years Education and the manager (in post since January 2009) has a BA Hons. in Education Studies. To cover staff training, and leave we employ Fatima,a part time Level 3 member of staff.

We also have a daily cook who prepares fresh meals, and has a certificate in “healthy food provision”, with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables, grown here and bought from Waitrose. The children regularly cook, and once a month prepare the foods for our parent and child breakfast clubs.

The manager oversees all areas of curriculum provision, and the general running of the setting, working in close partnership with the parent led management committee. Because the staff team is so small they can build close and caring relationships with each child and their families. Many of our families have used the setting for all of their children over several years, because they appreciate the secure, warm atmosphere that is provided.

Our ethos is learning through child led exploration and play. Staff are here to observe each child's type of play and interests, and to then provide support and extend their play. Written records are kept on each child, and regular meetings held with parents/carers.

We are members of the Pre-school Learning Alliance, and follow their good practice, along with support from the Camden Early Years Advisory Team. Children with Special Educational needs are regularly seen by the Early Years Inclusion Teacher who works closely with the staff to provide suitable curricula for these children.

Our nursery is set in a semi-wild garden that was previously a graveyard. Our garden is at the heart of our nursery, and we offer vegetable and fruit growing, chances to observe and nurture wild life, explore the seasons and materials in the setting (including lots of mud). We have a large water exploration area, and two sand pits. We also have various wooden and wicker structures and a tepee. The garen is used daily throughout the year whatever the weather. The majority of our children live in flats and do not have access to a garden, so our area is very important for them. The nursery building was originally erected in 1964 as a playgroup run by Save the Children, but has been a nursery since 1980. The building is light and welcoming, and offers space for play and exploration, but is coming to the end of it's life, and work is underway to construct a new purpose built nursery on this site. We are embarking on a major fund raising drive  in 2010 to raise the monies needed. We hope to begin building in Autumn 2010.

We encourage students from local colleges and Universities to visit us, and have volunteer staff on a regular basis. We also ask our parents to help with gardening days, helping us on trips and outings and coming into the setting to offer their experience in art, music and science activities. The parents are encourage to have a very close involvement with the nursery.

Our website will be updated later this year, but if you have any queries, please contact the manager, Katharine Jerrom.

Collingham Gardens Nursery

Henrietta Mews, London WCIN 1PH

Registered Charity No. 1029716

Tel. 020 7837 3423

Click Here to Email  cgnursery@btconnect.com

Directions and Parking

Nearest Tube Stations - Kings Cross, Russell Square

Buses - No.s 46, 7,18, 68, 77, 77a, 170, 188 and 259

Parking - Resident Bays & Pay and Display Meters

Click here to see a location map of our nursery  

designed and powered by