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Waterways Children's Centre

Ofsted: Strong standard·
3.6(18 Google reviews) ·Southwood Road, LONDON, SE28 8EZ · Greenwich
Number of places
96 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2026
Local authority
Greenwich

About this day nursery

Waterways Nursery and After School Club, registered in 2015, is located in the Thamesmead area of the Royal Borough of Greenwich and is part of the Greenwich Leisure Ltd organisation. The day nursery provides full-day care for children aged 2 to 4 years, operating all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

The setting benefits from 32 staff members, with a strong emphasis on continuous professional development, including two staff holding early childhood degrees and others with various NVQ levels. Children are immersed in an environment that encourages exploration and choices, with well-organised daily routines that help them understand the structure of their day.

The dedicated staff have high expectations, ensuring that children, including those receiving additional funding, make good progress. The day nursery places a strong emphasis on developing children's speech and language skills and fostering emotional vocabulary.

Support programmes are promptly put in place for children not making expected progress, with staff working closely with parents and other professionals to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities access the learning they need. The outdoor space is a significant feature, offering children opportunities to engage in physical play, explore nature, and take pride in looking after their environment.

What it's like

Children enter the setting happily and settle quickly on arrival. Well-organised daily routines help them to understand what is happening throughout the day. Staff have high expectations and, because of this, children make good progress, including those who receive additional funding.

Well-organised routinesPassionate leadershipStrong communication skillsSupportive environmentOutdoor explorationStrong parent partnerships

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Opening hours

8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday

Term time / All Year

All_year

Registered with Ofsted

2015

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Strong standard

Last inspected May 2026

Headline: Strong standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
Expected standard
—
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementStrong standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesStrong standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingStrong standard
Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
InclusionStrong standard
Leadership and governanceStrong standard
Age range
2 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted report for Waterways Children's Centre

Last inspected 15 May 2026 · Louisa Parker

Safeguarding effective

What it's like to attend

Children enter the setting happily and settle quickly on arrival. Well-organised daily routines help them to understand what is happening throughout the day. Staff have high expectations and, because of this, children make good progress, including those who receive additional funding.

Inspector highlights

  • Children enter the setting happily and settle quickly on arrival.
  • Well-organised daily routines help children to understand what is happening throughout the day.
  • Staff have high expectations and, because of this, children make good progress, including those who receive additional funding.
  • Leaders have a clear vision for the setting and lead with passion and determination.
  • Children's speech and language skills are developing well, with a strong emphasis on emotional vocabulary.
  • Staff identify children who are not making expected progress, leading to timely support programmes.
  • Children are immersed in an environment which encourages them to explore and make their own choices.
  • Parents speak positively about the nursery and the care which their children receive.

Areas to develop

  • 1Promote children's communication skills even further by extending their language and encouraging them to use more words at every opportunity.
  • 2Provide more opportunities for children to make marks and learn about letter shapes in preparation for school.
Inspection #10197914 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff identify children who are not making expected progress, leading to timely support programmes. Staff work in partnership with other professionals and parents to ensure that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can access the learning they need to make progress. For example, staff use visual cards and sensory circuits to support children with change.

Outdoor space

Young children enjoy singing songs and rhymes, and have access to an outdoor space where they can roll down a hill and water plants. Older children are encouraged to develop physical skills outside, riding bikes and scooters, and playing on a swing and slide. The outdoor space provides opportunities to explore the world, smell herbs in the sensory garden, and look for bugs, with children taking pride in watering plants.

EAL / language support

The report does not specifically mention EAL provision, but highlights the development of speech and language skills in all children.

Google Reviews of Waterways Children's Centre

3.6
(18 Google reviews)
Mizzy-Renée Ranthe
3 months ago

As an EYFS specialist myself, choosing a nursery for my son was a process of evaluating good practice at many nurseries before choosing a place for him. Waterways was absolutely the best choice I could have made for him. The practitioners hold high professional standards and from senior management to room leaders and supporting practitioners, I am confident in their practice. Their safeguarding practices demonstrate competence and their provision is stimulating for my son. He is thriving. They work with our family, and understand that my son is very bright. They are aware of my home schooling arrangements in the morning and are flexible in accommodating this learning. They follow his lead and encourage him as he takes his strides. They let me know what they notice at nursery and their tracking systems allow me to contribute with his achievements at home. The nursery manager has an open door and frequently gives her time to listen to parent views. The room leader is fun, approachable, experienced and his key person knows my child very well. My son loves to go to nursery and is flourishing. When accidents happen (and of course the will happen) they are quick to inform me and are quick and efficient in dealing with concerns as they arise. Thank you for all the amazing work you are doing Waterways, you ought to be proud of your setting.

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Louise Breen
3 months ago

My daughter attended this nursery 5 years ago and had the most wonderful time. My son is currently attending Waterways nursery and is thriving. Everyday there is new activities out to help his learning progress, the kindness and love shown from the staff has made my son feel safe and happy. I can rest easy knowing my son is cared for in every aspect of his time there. Every morning he wakes up asking to "go nursery" as did my daughter and even now she asks to go and pick her brother up so she can see the staff. If I have anymore children their will most certainly be attending here too.

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Lauren Elliott
2 months ago

Waterways nursery was my last resort, my son had been to 3 other nurseries since he was 2! Well i wish he had started there in the beginning! Waterways nursery are amazing! Went up and Beyond for my son! I had daily photos and updates on his development, weekly observations, always kept me updated with what he done daily. Danielle was his keyworker and she was amazing with him (he had his struggles) and she make sure she had activities ready for him, let him help her with stuff, made him feel very welcome and safe, picked up on his stuggles and worked very closely with me & him! The nursery were fantastic with my son’s medical and health problems! Wouldn’t go anywhere else, and so greatful they gave my son the best time at nursery!

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Sian Lou
3 months ago

My daughter attends this nursery and had a difficult time settling in at first, the staff have been lovely, understanding and supportive to myself and my daughter especially whilst she was finding her feet in the setting. She always comes out with a beaming smile saying she had a good day. The resources and activities that they provide here are better than a majority of nursery's I've visited/attended in my opinion. My daughter has been thriving with her speech and singing since joining and is coming home having learnt new things everyday! We both really love the nursery and are more than happy that we chose this setting for her journey. Thankyou to all staff for creating such a positive and welcoming environment for my daughter as well as myself.

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Megan Breen
3 months ago

My daughter attends this nursery & the staff have been more than accommodating to her needs, she used to do 3 days a week but found it too unsettling and the management was quick to change her hours at my request to more suitable hours for her They do lots of activities with the children and send daily updates on their app! The staff are kind and caring towards my daughter which is really helping her settle & enjoy her session. I would 100% recommend this nursery to any of my friends & my other daughter will be attending when she is old enough!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Waterways Children's Centre. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: October 2017

  • May 2026Strong standard
  • July 2022Good
  • May 2022Good
  • October 2017Good
  • October 2017Good

Frequently asked about Waterways Children's Centre

About the setting

Waterways Nursery and After School Club registered in 2015 and is part of the Greenwich Leisure Ltd organisation. It is located in the Thamesmead area of the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The setting operates all year round from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. It provides funded early education for children aged two, three and four years. The setting has 32 staff, Of these, two hold early childhood degrees, one holds an NVQ level 4, three hold a level 2 qualification, and 19 hold a level 3 qualification.

URN
EY489013
Registered person
Greenwich Leisure Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Good

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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