Golden Lane Childrens Centre
GoodBirth to 5Open for decades
A day nursery in London for children from birth to 5, open 8am to 6pm. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in May 2025. Open since 2008, with 99 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Islington
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Islington from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
EC1Y 8JAWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
Ofsted inspector, 23 May 2025 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Leaders and staff create a warm and welcoming environment, where children feel safe and supported emotionally. They are kind, nurturing and attentive. This helps children to build strong relationships with their peers and adults. Children arrive happily and eagerly engage in stimulating activities, which promote their wellbeing. There are clear and consistent expectations for children's behaviour in place.
Staff patiently explain why some behaviours are unacceptable. Children show respect for others, encourage their friends to join in and take turns. Staff consistently offer praise, which helps to boost children's confidence as they learn new skills.
Staff help children to develop positive identities by planning events, such as cultural days, to foster their respect and understanding for different backgrounds. Leaders support staff to carry out ongoing assessments and meaningful observations to understand children's starting points in development. This enables staff to plan an engaging curriculum based on children's interests. Staff also organise outings linked to children's current learning, such as visits to the local fire station. This helps children to make connections and deepen their understanding. Children are enthusiastic and active learners. They enjoy adding glitter to coloured rice to watch the changes. Children play well with their peers and benefit from indoor and outdoor activities. These experiences support their overall development and confidence.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- enrich opportunities for older children to take risks in their play and practise and refine their gross motor skills n ensure that staff consistently recognise and extend opportunities for children to develop their independence.
- 23 May 2025Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 24 July 2019Good
- 21 July 2015Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for Golden Lane Childrens Centre
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.