Session types
Full-time Nursery Care, Before & After School Care, Early Bird/Breakfast Club, Pick and Drop off to school
Smart Start Nursery
Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2025)
Number of places
44 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Southwark
About this day nursery
Smart Start Nursery Limited provides high-quality early years education and childcare in South London, specifically in the SE1 area. They cater to children aged 0-5 years, offering a safe and nurturing environment where each child is encouraged to reach their full potential through play, learning, and developmental activities.
The nursery emphasises a holistic approach to childcare, with a curriculum designed to foster cognitive, physical, and social development. They work closely with parents to ensure individualised support for every child.
In addition to full-time nursery care, Smart Start Nursery offers before and after-school care, including a breakfast club, and school drop-off and pick-up services. The nursery also participates in government-funded early education schemes, providing various funded hours options for eligible age groups.
While trips and outings may incur additional charges, meals and snacks are included in the nursery provision. Parents of children aged 1-2 years who are still in nappies are asked to provide their own nappies, wipes, and changing clothes.
Smart Start Nursery is committed to offering accessible and high-quality childcare and education.
What it's like
Children arrive at the setting to a warm, welcoming staff team. The curriculum is ambitious for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Staff have high expectations of what every child can achieve and adapt activities to ensure that all make good progress.
Government-funded places availableAges 0-5 yearsHolistic approach to early educationBefore & after school careMeals and snacks included
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Food
Meals and snacks are included as part of the nursery provision.
Opening hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 6:30pm
Age range
0 Months - 5 Years
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Smart Start Nursery
Last inspected 12 September 2025
Overall effectiveness
Good
What it's like to attend
Children arrive at the setting to a warm, welcoming staff team. The curriculum is ambitious for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Staff have high expectations of what every child can achieve and adapt activities to ensure that all make good progress.
Inspector highlights
- Leaders and staff work together to create a curriculum that is shaped around the needs and interests of all children.
- Staff are kind, calm and caring in the way they interact with children.
- Children have various opportunities to develop their physical skills, indoors and outdoors.
- The nursery places a strong focus on helping children feel ready and confident for the transition to school.
- Staff build friendly and effective partnerships with parents and carers.
Areas to develop
- 1strengthen staff supervision processes to provide more targeted support and guidance that brings consistency in the quality of teaching and practice across the setting
- 2enhance partnerships with parents and consistently share children's next steps in learning and development to help support children's learning at home.
Inspection #10399554 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Families say they feel welcome and comfortable approaching staff with questions or concerns.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
The curriculum is ambitious for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Staff have high expectations of what every child can achieve and adapt activities to ensure that all make good progress.
Outdoor space
Children have various opportunities to develop their physical skills, indoors and outdoors. Young children learn how to use the slide safely when showing an interest in climbing. At the park, children have opportunities to develop their coordination and large-muscle skills when using the larger equipment.
Parent Reviews of Smart Start Nursery
5.0
(9)
Iysellah- Rose
4 months ago
I have had a good experience with Smart Start Nursery (15+years) . All of my children have attended over the years, and my youngest, who is now still there, which shows how much trust I have in the nursery. The staff are caring, supportive, and truly invested in each child’s development. The environment is safe, nurturing, and engaging. The communication between me and the staffs has always been clear and reassuring. I’ve seen real growth, confidence, and happiness in my children, and I’m very grateful for the strong foundation Smart Start Nursery has given my children. I would highly recommend it to any parents
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Daniela S
4 months ago
We honestly couldn’t be happier with this nursery. From the very beginning it has felt like a family rather than just a childcare setting. The staff truly feel like aunties to my children – they are so loving, caring, and genuinely invested in them. This was my children’s first ever nursery experience, and they have been attending since September. As a parent, I was naturally nervous at first, but the team made me feel completely at ease and comfortable from day one. Their level of care and attention is outstanding, and you can see how much they truly care about every child. One thing I really appreciate is that they don’t rely on apps for communication. Instead, everything is face-to-face and personalised, which makes such a difference. I always feel informed, reassured, and able to have proper conversations about my children and their day. The progress my children have made since attending is amazing, especially with their speech and understanding. Their confidence has grown so much, and it’s clear that the support and encouragement they receive every day plays a huge role in this. I am so grateful to the whole team for the love, care, and support they give my children. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this nursery to any parent looking for a warm, nurturing, and supportive environment for their little ones.
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Rach Mu
4 months ago
My daughter attends Smart Start Nursery and she seems happy. The staff are helpful and supportive. They have encouraged my child to communicate and is confident i could say! As a parent am happy with the environment, and out door activities they have in place☺️. my child has been in the setting for over a year now and she loves it there.
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Happy Family
4 months ago
My children attend Smart Start Nursery, and I truly believe they are in wonderful hands. The staff there has excellent communication skills and has always made me feel reassured and comfortable leaving my kids in their care.
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Etinosasere Aifuwa
4 months ago
Great nursery for kids. My son went here and daughter still going. A very good operation with good staffs. I am very pleased with the care and training my kids got from Smart start nursery.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Smart Start Nursery. See all on Google Maps
Inspection history
Date: December 2019
- September 2025Good
- December 2019Good
Frequently asked about Smart Start Nursery
About the setting
Smart Start Nursery Limited registered in 2017. It is located in the London Borough of Southwark. The nursery operates from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm. There are nine members of childcare staff, six of whom hold relevant childcare qualifications at levels 2 or 3. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.
- URN
- EY548984
- Registered person
- Smart Start Nursery Limited
- Day care type
- Full day care
- Register
- Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
- Establishment type
- Childcare on non-domestic premises
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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