The Sam Morris Centre Nursery, nestled in Islington, has been a cornerstone of high-quality childcare since 1996. This non-profit, community-based nursery caters to babies, toddlers, and young children aged 6 months to 5 years, providing a nurturing and stimulating environment.
The purpose-built facility offers both indoor and outdoor activities within a serene setting. The core philosophy revolves around fostering learning through engaging activities, imaginative play, and thoughtful guidance, all while prioritising the child's safety.
A dedicated team of 10 permanent staff members, boasting qualifications from level 3 to 6, including an Early Years Teacher, is committed to supporting each child's individual development. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, with key workers collaborating closely with parents to ensure every child thrives.
The nursery operates for 49 weeks annually, closing for bank holidays, a five-day Christmas break, and two weeks in August for a summer holiday. The flexible placement options allow for 2, 3, 4, or 5 consecutive days, offered at the beginning or end of the week, with community places available to Islington residents and market places for those outside the borough.
Our ethos
The Sam Morris Centre Nursery fosters learning through engaging activities, imaginative play, and thoughtful guidance, following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework with a focus on individual development and parental collaboration.
What it's like
Children show great confidence and enthusiasm as they arrive at nursery. Staff take care to get to know each child and their family so that children can settle in successfully. They pay close attention to enabling children to build attachments so that they feel safe and secure. The well-established staff talk to children so that they know what is happening next and what is expected of them. This means that children show consistently good behaviour.
Fees follow local authority recommendations based on household income bands. Stretched funding is available over 49 weeks. Funding covers childcare only, and a voluntary food fee is requested for children over three.
Funding accepted
Good to know
Opening hours
The Nursery is open for 49 weeks each year. It is closed on bank holidays, for 5 days over Christmas and for two weeks in the summer, usually the last two weeks in August. Fees are payable for all bank holidays and the Christmas closure, but not for the summer break.
Food
Meals are provided, with a voluntary fee of £3 for food for children over 3. The government funding for 15 or 30 hours does not cover the cost of food.
Staff
10 permanent members of staff with qualifications from level 3 to level 6 and 1 Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
Age range
6 months to 5 years
Session types
Full day
Established
1996
Last inspected 29 May 2025 · Catherine Greene
What it's like to attend
Children show great confidence and enthusiasm as they arrive at nursery. Staff take care to get to know each child and their family so that children can settle in successfully. They pay close attention to enabling children to build attachments so that they feel safe and secure. The well-established staff talk to children so that they know what is happening next and what is expected of them. This means that children show consistently good behaviour.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents say how much they appreciate the leaders and staff at this setting.
They say that their children are happy to attend and spend time with the staff and their friends.
Parents particularly appreciate the consistent communication with staff about their children's progress and next steps so they can share ideas and continue their learning at home.
Inclusion & environment
Staff focus on what children can do and their changing interests. This helps staff to plan an ambitious and inclusive curriculum that supports all children to make timely progress, including children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Staff work together as a team with parents and managers to identify any gaps in development and make timely referrals so that children receive additional support where required.
Children enjoy outings in the community, including to the forest school where they can gain a range of experience and appreciate the natural world. In the outdoor play areas, staff encourage physical activity, and children benefit from climbing resources, rolling, balancing, riding bicycles, jumping in hoops, and balancing on tyres.
Sam Morris is a welcoming, happy, friendly nursery. Our daughter is so happy to go to all of the staff there at drop off and often wants to stay at pick up! We have been so reassured by how much she loves it and we are so pleased she goes there. When we settled in, we got lots of clear communication and support, which is ongoing now our daughter has been there for afew months. Highly recommend Sam Morris!
Read on Google
I have two children at Sam Morris – aged 18 months and 3 years old – and cannot recommend this lovely community nursery enough. Both of them walk into the nursery each morning happy and excited. The dedication and energy of the staff is clear, they have lovely indoor and outdoor play areas, and I've found it to be a very warm, welcoming and unpretentious place.
Read on Google
I've had my son, 15 months, at Sam Morris for the past 5 months and we are very happy with his experience there. His smile when greeted in the morning by any one of the staff members is so genuine. Toddlers can't lie! It's clear he's happy and well-cared for, well-loved at Sam Morris. The other children call out to him by name outside of the nursery as well. It's just such a lovely community for him to be part of. The kids get to be outside or inside throughout the day as they like, get exposed to various learning activities (authors/books in focus, gardening, caring for live chicks, celebrating holidays etc), and always have nutritious delicious meals and snacks suited to his specific needs. We're really happy and feel like a part of a lovely community. And most importantly, our son loves it.
Read on Google
Our daughter loves it in here! She's been going to the baby room and is now transitioning to the open plan room with the older children. The staff in the baby room is always very friendly and welcoming. They take care of her and always give me feedback how her day was. They're very good at communicating and will call and let me know on the day if something was the matter. She comes home happy every time! I would definitely recommend this nursery if you're looking for a loving, nurturing environment for your child.
Read on Google
My little one has been going to Sam Morris Nursery for nearly 6 months and he loves it. All members of staff are so nice and caring. Here he has made friends, has improved his speech in English (we speak our mother languages at home) created good eating habits, became more indepedent and sociable. We strongly recomend Sam Morris for any parents who is looking for place where your LO will be looked after, safe and happy.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Sam Morris Centre Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Date: March 2005
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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more
