The Growing Patch Nursery
GoodBirth to 5Long established
A pre-school in Catford for children from birth to 5, open 08:45 to 15:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in November 2023. Open since 2014, with 22 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 Lewisham
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Lewisham 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
SE6 1AUWhat 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 November 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff build close bonds with children and their parents from the start. They give children who are new to the setting warm attention and cuddles. Staff encourage children to join activities as they arrive or play alongside them until they feel more settled. Staff are responsive to children when they need reassurance. This helps children to quickly re-join activities. Children enjoy their time at the nursery and play happily with their friends.
Staff consider the needs of children who may be at risk of falling behind in their learning. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from targeted teaching and the calm approach of staff. Staff help children to learn how to interact with others in positive ways. For example, they encourage children to wait patiently for their friends to pass them interesting items to explore during a
'What's in The Box' activity. Staff support children to use their imaginations, for example during pretend play or as they dress up. Staff discuss the benefits of healthier foods and encourage children to develop independence and manage their self-care.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- strengthen the curriculum for outdoor learning, so that children have increased opportunities to practise and develop their gross motor skills n extend children's understanding of other cultures and communities, and support them to recognise and value what makes them unique.
- 23 November 2023Good
- 28 November 2017Good
- 9 July 2014Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 3 of the last 3 graded inspections.
Still missing for The Growing Patch Nursery
- 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.