We recognise the many strengths that Early Years providers in the borough bring to best support the youngest children and their families.
In the spirit of partnership working between us and Early Years providers, we have developed the Register of Good Practice to share practice models and ideas to inspire and learn from. We aim to build a localised professional community of enquiry with the register.
The register includes representation from all types of Early Years settings and childminders in the borough. The register is split into areas of expertise. We encourage Early Years practitioners and leaders to contact a setting to arrange a visit. The visits are focused and provide an opportunity to talk about why and how a particular aspect of practice or provision was developed and embedded.
Practitioners on the register are ready to welcome you in for a visit.
How to join the register
Settings and childminders that want to join the register will be asked to deliver a short presentation about their area of expertise at a special launch event. For further guidance and information, contact your Link Advisory Teacher or Louise Bufano on 020 7527 8660 or email louise.bufano@islington.gov.uk.
Archway Children’s Centre: Imaginative approaches to exploring media and materials
Contact
- Email: Mita.Pandya@islington.gov.uk
- Telephone: 020 7527 4827
- Address: Vorley Road, N19 5HE
Reason to visit
Inspirational practice that is rooted in processes and skills to satisfy children’s artistic intentions.
Bemerton’s Children’s Centre: Setting wide approach and commitment to race equality
Contact
- Email: Gemma.White@islington.gov.uk
- Telephone: 020 7527 4806
- Address: Coatbridge House, 1a, Carnoustie Dr N1 0DX
Reason to visit
Staff at Bemerton Children’s Centre have implemented a broad curriculum building on the children’s cultural capital that is equalities driven. Across the setting, staff hold authentic conversations with families and each other to understand and learn from diverse cultural perspectives. The individual’s voice permeates the centre and children’s self-identity in whichever skin they live in is openly acknowledged and shared with others.
Conewood Children’s Centre: Understanding children’s brain stories
Contact
- Email: wendy.dormer@islington.gov.uk
- Telephone: 020 7527 4440
- Address: 14 Conewood Street, N5 1DL
Reason to visit
Embedded approach based on neuroscience that places the understanding of children’s brain stories at the heart of pedagogy and curriculum.
Highbury Fields Bandstand: Nature inspired learning for childminders and their children
Contact
Call:
- Danielle Franklin - 07843 435 052
- Sarah Kenna - 07956 383 130
Address: 42 Highbury Place, N5 1QL
Reason to visit
Danielle and Sarah are both passionate and knowledgeable about outdoor nature-based learning. Childminders and their children are welcome to join the weekly sessions organised by Danielle and Sarah at Highbury Fields Bandstand Wildlife Garden on Wednesdays 12.30-2.30pm. These are drop-in sessions for children to connect with nature, learn how to use basic tools and understand seasonal change.Home-based: The enabling environment in a home setting
Contact
Email: Lisa and Dave Harvey on LisaMHarvey@hotmail.co.uk
Reason to visit
Childminders who have developed a stimulating range of provision to inspire learning across the 7 areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
Little Angels Day Nursery Highbury: Pedagogical approaches to expanding nutritious tasting experiences with young children
Contact
Email Georgina Trevor georgina@littleangelsdaynursery.com
Address
217 Blackstock Road, N5 2LL
Reasons to visit
Little Angels Day Nursery Highbury have deeply embedded their practice in promoting healthy eating and have had great success in expanding children’s palettes, including those children who start as fussy eaters.
Moreland Primary School and Children’s Centre: Rich free flow provision
Contact
- Email: caroline.mitchell@moreland.islington.sch.uk
- Telephone: 020 7527 3500
- Address: Moreland Street, EC1V 8BB
Reason to visit
Engaging, motivating learning spaces that provoke high levels of involvement by the nursery and reception children.New River Green Children’s Centre: Inclusive practices supporting children with SEND, in particular children with autism
Contact
- Email: Joanne.Bradley@islington.gov.uk
- Telephone: 020 7527 4813
- Address: 23 Ramsey Walk, London, N1 2SX
Reason to visit
New River Green Children’s Centre have carefully reviewed and adapted their practice and provision, including creating a sensory hub to meet the growing number of children with SEND attending the setting. As staff at the Children’s Centre say, "If a child cannot learn the way that we teach, then we must teach them in the way that they can learn."
St Joseph’s Catholic School and Nursery: Effective approaches in using technology to promote talking
Contact
- Email: katie.smith@st-josephs.islington.sch.uk
- Telephone: 020 7272 1270
- Address: Highgate Hill, N19 5NE
Reason to visit
Exciting use of technology to support auditory skills, social communication and social collaboration building on from unplugged to plugged learning experiences.
The Children’s House Nursery: Critical thinking and problem-solving for nursery aged children
Contact
- Email: TaibaHussain@ChildrensHouseSchool.co.uk
- Telephone: 020 7354 2113
- Address: 77 Elmore Street, N1 3AQ
Reason to visit
Discover the journey that practitioners have made in their commitment to process led practice engaging nursery aged children in critical thinking and problem-solving.
Willow Children’s Centre: Adventurous learning through forest school experiences
Contact
- Email: Sadiye.Tosun@islington.gov.uk
- Telephone: 020 7527 1990
- Address: Willow Children's Centre, 1A Holbrooke Ct, N7 0BF
Reason to visit
Long and well established practice and commitment to tackling the ‘nature deficit’ that many inner city children face.
Arrange a visit to the Children’s Centre to hear about the wide ranging benefits that forest school can offer in developing young children’s skills, knowledge and attitudes.
Alternatively, arrange to join a forest school session with the children from Willow Children’s Centre led by Sadiye, an expert Forest School Leader. Forest school sessions take place at Queen’s Wood Highgate on Wednesday mornings.