Archway Children's Centre

Archway Children’s Centre achieved 'Outstanding' in the last Ofsted inspection. The effectiveness of leadership and management, quality of teaching, learning, assessment, personal development, behaviour, welfare and outcomes for children is all outstanding.

The report states that, ‘Staff build exceptionally strong partnerships with parents. Children are happy and feel safe in the children’s centre. The management team is inspirational. Children are exceptionally well prepared for their next stage in learning and for their move to school.’

Archway Children's Centre is situated in the Bright Start North area in a light and spacious purpose-built space. We have a spacious garden with chickens, mud kitchen, children’s planting areas and calm spaces to explore natural materials the Forest School way. There are covered verandah areas which means the outdoors can be accessed easily in all weathers.

Archway Children’s Centre is on Islington’s register of good practice for ‘Imaginative Approaches to Exploring Media and Materials’.

As well as providing childcare and education for babies and children from 6 months to 5 years, the Centre offers a wide range of activities and services including stay and play, chatterpillars, SENsory adventures, midwifery clinic, health clinic, family support surgery, free healthy start vitamins and breastfeeding support. The Bright Start North timetable indicates the activities we offer. 

At Archway Children’s Centre, we have an integrated, holistic and responsive approach, which develops children’s physical health, emotional wellbeing, creative and critical thinking skills. This is done through trauma induced practice, sensitive interaction, an enabling environment and parent partnership so all children reach their full potential to achieve positive outcomes.

There are also a range of exciting volunteering opportunities available at the centre including working with children and families in sessions, leading exciting projects or helping in our gardens.

The last EYFS review report stated, ‘Archway Children’s Centre demonstrates commitment to all the children, families and users of the centre. First hand experiences and appropriate challenges are offered to meet the developmental needs of the children’.

The services have been highly rated by users: “We love the sessions! Coming to the Centre is the best part of the week!”; "thank you for giving a wonderful start to her education – it could not have been bettered. We couldn’t have asked for more!"

‘The facilities are outstanding, and all staff are always welcoming, friendly and great with the children. We could not wish for a better childcare setting for our children’! ‘Outstanding facilities and fantastic staff. We could not be happier with the centre!’

More information on Bright Start services for families with children under 5, including the timetable of local and online activities.

You can read the most recent Ofsted report here.

Healthy Start vitamins are available to collect here.

For accessibility information, please visit Disabled Go.

Archway Children's Centre was awarded the 2021 SILVER award for ‘Islington in Bloom’ in the category of children’s planting.

Archway is recognised as an Islington Healthy Early Years setting and has received the Healthy Early Years London GOLD Award.

Islington Healthy Early Years works with settings to ensure a good level of support for the health and wellbeing of children under five and their families.  Healthy Early Years London (HEYL) is an awards scheme funded by the Mayor of London which recognises Early Years settings’ achievements in child health, wellbeing and development.  More information about the London award is available here.

Parents can do a tour of the centre; please call to book!

A video tour can be accessed on this link

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