The centre is located in one of the most vibrant areas of London, just behind the South Bank arts centre, occupying a sizable site of 13 acres. It was created by social enterprise and development trust, Coin Street Community Builders, at a cost of £9.55m, to provide a range of much-needed resources for the local and wider South Bank and Bankside communities.
In addition to the nursery, the centre houses meeting and event spaces for community and commercial hire, offices for Coin Street staff and a roof terrace with views across the London skyline. This year a neighbourhood cafe and commercial restaurant are scheduled to open.
Coin Street Nursery serves a diverse customer base, ranging from single fathers and working parents to key workers and local business staff.
Nursery director Guy Hanscombe makes his management priorities clear.
'We follow a strong education and care policy and support parents through their transition and their children's transition into nursery life,' he says. 'We ensure staff morale is high and the staff team are supported to attain our ethos of learning and development.'
The nursery space is purpose-designed, with a lot of natural light and free flow into a large outdoor area overlooking the gardens of neighbouring houses.
'The nursery was designed in conjunction with Community Playthings and is an open-plan environment which allows adults an overview of the entire space, while for the children there are separate areas,' says Mr Hanscombe. 'We have our own kitchen and our resident cook prepares healthy meals - the menu reflects the diversity of the children, parents and staff, and all have input.'
Priority for nursery places is given to families living or working in the area south of the river, from Lambeth Bridge to Borough High Street, and south of the site to St George's Circus. After this, consideration is given to families living or working on the edge of the priority area, and then to families living elsewhere whose children go to school within the catchment area.
Flexible hours help to make the service responsive to its diverse range of customers, and the centre provides breakfast and out-of-school clubs. Advisors are on hand to help parents with accessing tax credits, nursery vouchers and subsidies as part of the Childcare Affordability Programme.
'Communication and information sharing is key,' says Mr Hanscombe. 'All team members are accessible, and we spend time working alongside one another - this is the best way to know what's going on and how best to support the families and children and react to their needs.
'We can also signpost families to other programmes and activities available locally.'
Coint Street Community Builders is a controlled by a board of CSCB members who live locally, and all profits are ploughed back into the company's public service objectives.
Further information:
- www.coinstreet.org.