South Acton

Childrens Centre
Prospectus

Giving our families the best

start in life.
Contents:
Letter from the Head of Centre 5

Our Mission 6

Our Ethos 7

The History of the Childrens Centre 8-9

The Curriculum 10-11

Safeguarding Children 12

Policies 13

Special Educational Needs (SEN) 14

Admissions 15

0-2 Year Olds

16-17
Holly Room 18

Cherry Room 19
2-5 Year Olds 20

Parental 21

Book and Toy Library 22

ICAN 23

Centre Practitioners Groups 24-25

Parent Testimony 26

Letter from the Chair of governors 27

Contact Us 28
Welcome to our Childrens
Centre. We are here to help
every child in Acton get the
best start in life. We provide
a wide range of services to
children and their families
from pre-pregnancy to the
age of 5 years, including
education, childcare, health
services, groups and many
forms of family support. Our
offer includes a nursery
school, three specialist units
for children with SEN, full
day care, wrap-a-round care
and a holiday play scheme. The
Early Start Team are soon to
operate from the centre to
further extend our services.
Message from the Head of Centre
offer on this website.
South Acton Childrens Centre We all hope our website
is the hub centre and provides provides you with the
the lead for the five centres information you need but
in the Acton Locality. We also welcome phone calls and visits
operate from others venues should you wish to know more.
around the area. The
Governors and staff are very
Very Best Wishes
proud of our reputation as a
warm, friendly and caring
centre where children develop Bev Kellett
well. We work in close Head of Centre
partnership with parents to
help children reach their
potential as confident,
resourceful, happy and
capable people. You can read
all about our centres aims and
values and the services we
 OUR
MISSION
A Mission Statement is a formal
short written statement of the
purpose of a company or
organisation, and this is ours:
We believe that every child, family
and member of staff matters and
at South Acton Childrens Centre
we work hard to create a place
where we can all learn and grow
together. We work in partnership
to promote fairness, respect,
empathy and a sense of community
within a caring and inclusive
environment. We want to create a
safe, happy place where children
become curious, confident, creative
learners.
We feel a real strength of our
Nursery School and Childrens
Centre is the passion, commitment
and expertise of our staff and
governors in striving to achieve the
very best for all of our children and
families.
Mission Statement about British
Values
(in line with Ofsted requirements
we also adopt the following
statement)
At South Acton we value the
diverse community that we serve.
We promote: mutual respect and
tolerance of those with different
faiths or beliefs, individual liberty,
the universal values of democracy,
the rules of the law. We believe
that for young children this means:
learning right from wrong, learning
to share and take turns, challenging
negative views and stereotypes.

Our Centres ethos is clear in
everything we do. It serves as a guide
for our conduct and practice in all our
work. We strive to:
Work in partnership. We value the
knowledge and experience of parents
and carers. We work in partnership
with other professionals and outside
agencies to offer the best support
and education to our families.
Achieve a high standard of care and
education. We want every child to
achieve their potential and enjoy their
time in education. We provide a
creative, educational approach
learning through play to
individual growth and achievement. We
are committed to the care
education of children with special
educational needs and where possible
these children will be integrated into
main stream provision.
Cont in ue ou r f amily ce ntr ed
approach. We want all individuals to
be valued, develop self-esteem and
learn to respect the worth of others.
To this end we offer a warm, safe,
stimulating and flexible environment
where all children and their families
are valued.
Create a can-do culture. We will
ensure that everyone working in the
centre will show qualities of respect,
courtesy, kindness and compassion to
others whilst offering an innovative
professional service that meets the
needs of our families.
Invest in our staff. We work to train
to and develop our staff to the highest
support standards. The single most important
factor in delivering our aspirations for
and children is a first class workforce. So
we will continue to drive up the quality
and capacity of those working in the
Childrens Centre.
 THE HISTORY
OF THE CENTRE
Years of experience have
shaped the Centre into the
unique service that it is today.
T he South Acton Estate
fortunate to have been served by
Hanbury Nursery Centre and Heathfield
Nursery School since the 1970s - They
amalgamated in 2002 and became South
Acton Childrens Centre
The decision was then made to join the
two buildings physically by assembling a
light and airy structure which
accommodated the Family and Community
Team a welcoming, information filled
Reception, a training room and meeting
rooms. More recently the Family and
community Team have merged with
Ealings Early Start Team.
The Early Start Team is made up of facility for children from 6 months to 5,
professionals from both NHS and Local including our specialist SEN provision
Authority and includes Health Visitors, which is accessed by children from
Family Support Workers, Speech and across Ealing.
was Language Therapists . This team will very
soon be operating from the childrens
centre in a bid to bring all the services a
young family requires under one roof.
The remit is to bring together early
education, childcare, health and family
support for the benefit of young children
(under the age of five) with the aim of
also improving the health and well-being of
families and children from before birth
to age five.
Over time the staff and expertise from
Hanbury and Heathfield have merged to
form a high quality school and childcare
 Prime areas
Three areas that are crucial for
igniting curiosity and enthusiasm
for learning, and for building their
capacity to learn, form
relationships and thrive. These
are:
Communication and Language
Physical Development
Personal, Social and emotional
Development
interested. All teaching is delivered via
carefully planned play and provision both
indoors and outdoors. Through play
young children:
Have practical experiences
Explore and investigate
Use their imagination
Do not feel threatened or risk failing
Make sense of their world
Learn at their own level
Learn at their own pace
Find out that learning is fun

Specific areas For further information on the Early

The centre adheres to the Early Years
Foundation Stage Framework. This is
the governments statutory guidance for
the education and care of children up to
the age of 5.
The EYFS sets standards for the
learning, development and care of
children from the ages of 0 to 5 years.
It is divided into 7 areas of learning and
development:
Years foundation stage please click on
Four areas that are introduced the link. www.foundationyears.org.uk
when developmentally appropriate to
strengthen and build upon the prime
areas. These are:
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design
At South Acton Childrens Centre we
believe that, like adults, children learn
best when they are self-motivated and
 THE 1. A unique child (All about the
child) 3. Enabling

CURRICULUM
2. Positive Relationships (All Environments
about those who have contact (The learning environment
A programme of activities and with the child) home/school)
learning opportunities designed for
children whilst at SACC

T he statutory Early Years Foundation

Stage Curriculum is fo llowe d
throughout the Centre and the practice
reassurance to feel safe and cared for and
building relationships with their family.

guidance sets the standards for The Key Persons keep careful records of each
learning, development and care for childs progress and plan for their learning to
children from birth to the age of ensure that they are given the opportunity to
five. develop attitudes, skills and knowledge across
all curriculum areas. >
Young children are naturally
curious and learn by being given
the opportunity to develop their
own interests and friendships, and
through exploring and being active.
Each childs needs are recognised by a
Key Person who has special responsibility for
working with them, giving them the
 The Childrens Centre follows the Early Years Foundation Stage
curriculum which cover seven areas. These are:

Personal, Social & Emotional Mathematical Development

Development (PSE - Understanding the World
Relationships) (K&U - Science, Geography,
This continues
into Reception with Communication, and History ICT)
Early Learning Language Expressive Art and Design
Goals at the Physical Development
Literacy

Information about the curriculum is

regularly updated on the display The Centre is regulated by the
boards throughout the Centre and Office for Standards in Education
parents are kept fully informed (OFSTED) and inspected at regular
about how their children are intervals. Our latest report can be
developing. found on our website or accessed
 protection procedures are in place the governments plan for children.

SAFEGUARDING and ensure that the welfare of the

child is paramount. We have a duty

CHILDREN to enable children who are in need

of support to come forward, and
will take appropriate action to
safeguard their well-being.
If you have any queries or concerns
about safeguarding, you can ask to
speak to the Nominated Safeguarding
Person here at the Childrens Centre.

The Early Years Foundation Stage We have a Safeguarding Policy and we

Framework is a central part of the ensure that staff have the training that
Childcare Act 2008. Part of this they need to help do their job well. We
legislation requires providers like also have members of the Leadership
Childrens Centres to take necessary and Management Team who are the
steps to safeguard and promote Nominated Safeguarding Person (NSP)
childrens welfare. for the Centre. In line with legislation
there will always be at least one NSP on
The Centre staff work in partnership site during opening hours
with parents, children and other
professionals from the health sector, We have vigorous recruitment
social care and education in order to procedures in place to ensure that staff
ensure the welfare of all the children employed at the Centre have undergone
who use our Centre. police criminal record checks.
Safe recruitment of staff is a part of
As a Centre we have to ensure that safeguarding and promoting the welfare
appropriate safeguarding and child of children, which is an important part of
W e have
policies
many
which
ensure that they are
kept up to date and
cover all aspects of our relevant.
work including learning
and teaching, health and If you would like to see a
safety, special needs, full list of the Centres
safeguarding and equal policies they are
opportunities. obtainable from the
Main Reception - please
They are designed to feel free to request and
help all members of the see a copy of any in
Centre community which you are
develop similar interested.
knowledge, skills,
attitudes and ways of
working with children,
families and each other.

Some of them
required by law, while
are POLICIES
We are always striving to provide
others hav e been
produced to improve
the best services for our families
practice and they are all - this is outlined in the Centres
reviewed regularly to policies.

SPECIAL
EDUCATIONAL
NEEDS (SEN)
Here at SACC, we do our up most to
identify and support children with SEN
to help them reach their full potential
A t South Acton Childrens Centre,
children who are identified as
having Special Education Needs are
supported by a range of staff including
teachers and nursery officers as well as
support assistants who work closely
alongside various other professionals.
There is also a Special Educational
Needs Co-Ordinator (SENCO). Their
role is to liaise with Occupational
Therapists, Speech and Language
Therapists, Physiotherapists and other
outside professionals such as Teachers
for the Deaf, Audiologists, Health
Visitor and Doctors.
The Educational
Psychologists (E.P) have input in SEN Educational Psychologist.
Plan meetings. The E.P report will also
support the EHCP process. These are Parents of children with SEN are
held termly to discuss children and
arrange dates and times to assess
supported throughout the whole process
from filling out forms to visiting
individual childrens needs. prospective schools.
Each child who has specialist input will
have their own personalised programmes
and Individual Support Plans. These are
shared and reviewed on a regular basis
with the parents/carers and will
incorporate activities and strategies to
support a childs individual needs.
Some children who have more complex
needs may need to have an Early Health
and Care Plan (EHCP). This will help in
the decision making process of the
appropriate school/setting a child will
attend next.
A EHCP is a legal document which means
that schools have to provide what is
specified on the plan to support a child
with SEN to be able to access a school
environment which would best support
their needs. This will be discussed with
you by your childs Key Worker and the
ADMISSIONS T
There are different admission
criteria at SACC. Please check
with the service that you need
for more information
here are different procedures for
admissions into the various
sections of the Centre. Places are
allocated according to a range of
criteria including the age of the child,
children or family special circumstance
and the availability of spaces.
If you feel that there are any special
circumstances in your family you may
need to ask a professional, such as
Health Visitor or Social Worker, to
refer you to the Centre. Please ask to
see a copy of the criteria.
All parents interested in securing a
place for their child need to visit the
Centre to complete a registration form.
Those requiring a place in the 0-2 year
old section need to register their
interest as soon as possible, by
completing a form at reception. They will
then be placed on a waiting list and
contacted when a place becomes
available. For children aged 2 and above
a form is completed and parents will be
contacted the term before their child is
due to start to arrange visits and
settling in. Support can be given if
needed so parents can ascertain if they
are eligible for funding, for example 2
year old funding or , from Sept 17, 30
hour 3and 4 Year old funding
Families who would like to use our other
services e.g. Stay and Play, Baby
Massage etc. will need to visit the
Centre and complete a registration form
for more information.
Parents who feel that their children
have special needs are encouraged to
contact the centre for advice.
0-2 YEAR OLD
A provision where babies from six months to children of two years can safely develop their sense of
self and their understanding of interactions with others

T he 0-2 year olds are cared for in Willow Room. The

room is light, airy and very well equipped. It has
access to its own outdoor space which has recently
been extensively refurbished and enlarged.

There is an architect designed garden area with

fixed equipment and safety surfacing, as well as
grassed and paved areas, mature trees, shrubs and
raised flower beds.

We have a total of 6 places each day. With

sessions running from 8.00am 1.00pm and 1.00pm to
6.00pm,. This room operates for 50 weeks per year.
 They are taught from the very the room, if a group activity is in

Holly Room
Special Care Unit and Nurture Group
beginning about boundaries and
expectations of behaviour. This is
supported through the use of language,
progress. This is so that the other
children and staff carrying out the
targeted work are not distracted.
gesture, Makaton, picture resources, Specialist equipment that your child may
Holly Room is a room that supports
objects of reference, Picture Exchange need will be ordered once your child has
children with mild and complex special
Communication (PECS), visual timetables started and been seen by the specialist
needs and disabilities. The session times
and repetition, structure of routines professional. This can take time but we
are 9.30-2.30
and special activities such as Bucket are still able to cater or your childs
Your child will have a key-person and you
Group, which supports the development needs while their individual pieces are
will be informed of their name during
of attention and listening and tracking on order.
the home- visit. You will be able to talk
and focusing skills. There are fixed holiday dates for Holly
to your childs key person on a daily
Tree Room and you will be given a letter
basis but please remember that if you
Holly Room work very closely with with term dates for the coming year.
think your discussion will need a longer
outside professionals who come on site Welcome and enjoy your time with us
time than a few minutes, then please let
such as the Speech Therapist, here at South Acton Childrens Centre
your childs key person know. This will
Occupational Therapist, Holly Tree Room
mean that you will need to turn up ten
Physiotherapists and the Educational
minutes earlier. If your child is going to
Psychologist. They work 1:1 with your
come to nursery on the transport bus
child and provide therapy programmes
then you will be given a communication
for your childs key- person as well as
book which can be used daily if needed
parents and carers to follow. Once your
for information sharing. Or you can
child has started and settled in nursery
contact staff on 0208 992 0724.
a meeting will be arranged so that all
professionals involved as well as
Staff are welcoming and very
yourselves can meet and share
experienced and have relevant training
information.
to support your child to learn, enjoy and
It is very important that your child gets
achieve.
to nursery at the correct time because
when the session has started it may
mean that you will have to wait to enter
Cherry Room
For Children with social and communication
difficulties
Cherry Room supports children with
social communication difficulties.
Your child will have a key-person and
you will be informed of their name
during the home- visit. You will be able
to talk to your childs key person on a
daily basis but please remember that if
you think your discussion will need a
longer time than a few minutes, then
please let your childs key person know.
This will mean that you will need to turn
up ten minutes earlier.
Staff are welcoming and very
experienced and have relevant training
to support your child to learn, enjoy
and achieve.
Children are taught from the very
beginning about boundaries and
expectations of behaviour. This is
supported through the use of language,
gesture, Makaton, Picture resources,
Picture Exchange Communication
(PECS), visual timetables and
repetition, structure of routines and
special activities such as Bucket
Group, which supports the development
of attention and listening skills.
Cherry Room work very closely with
outside professionals who come on site,
such as the Speech Therapist,
Occupational Therapist,
Physiotherapists and Educational
Psychologist. They work 1:1 with your
child and provide therapy programmes
and reports for your childs key- person
as well as you as parents and carers to
follow. Once your child has started and
settled into nursery a meeting will be
arranged so that all of the professional
involved and yourselves can meet and
share information.
It is very important that your child
gets to nursery at the correct time
because when the session has started
it may mean that you will have to wait
to enter the room, if a group activity is
in progress. This is so that the other
children and staff carrying out the
targeted work are not distracted.
There are fixed holiday dates for
Cherry Tree Room and you will be given
a letter with term dates for the coming
year.
 At 2 years children transition into Oak extended places.
or Chestnut class which operate between Many children start the Nursery School
the hours of 8.30 am 11.30am and the term after their third birthday as a

2 5 YEAR 12.30pm 3.30pm. This is term time only.

For parents requiring extended hours we
space becomes available, and normally
leave at the end of the summer term

SERVICES
A provision for children from
the ages of two to five
years where they will be
further encouraged to
become independent
thinkers, confident learners
offer a breakfast club, lunchtime club,
afters school club and holiday play
scheme. These services
The Nursery school provision for 3 and 4
year old is 60 places in the morning and
60 places in the afternoon. For 2 year
olds we have 24 places in the morning
and 24 places in the afternoon. We have
two classroom , Chestnut and Oak.
Morning Sessions
08:30 11.30
Afternoon Sessions
12:30 3:30 p.m.
unless their fourth birthday is after the
31st August. In this case, they will spend
another year in the Nursery.
There is a waiting list for the Nursery
and children normally have a Home Visit
before they start and a settling in
period.
need to be booked separately and have
to be paid for unless your child is in
receipt of funding from London Borough
of Ealings Early Years section

The core offer is, 15 hours per week

free for all 3 and 4 year olds. We can
support parents to check if their child is
eligible for 15 hours free funding from
the age of 2. The 15 hours are generally
delivered as three hours free per day
although we are also able to offer some
Parental
The centre has an Open Door Policy. Parents/Carers are welcome at all times
and their continuing involvement and contribution to their childs care and
education is greatly valued.

Our parents are encouraged to join our libraries and borrow books and toys on a regular basis. Parents are also encouraged to
attend our regular Family Learning sessions.

We have Open Evenings throughout the year which we highly recommend our parents come along to in order to discuss childrens
progress.

South Acton Childrens Centre can provide extended services for working parents, parents at college and parents who
need support.

In order to assist our parents, we have breakfast, lunch and after school club provision, and during the school holidays
there is also the option of a Play scheme.

We have a healthy eating policy and provide hot meals. Lunch box ideas are recommended to those who choose to
provide their own lunch. Our Nursery is well staffed with a staff ratio in line with or generally better than government
guidelines. Children have access to all indoor and garden areas, and staff plan and work co-operatively with all of the
children.

On entry, all children are allocated a Key Person who takes day to day responsibility for that child. In addition to this
we also have a Special Needs team and I CAN.
Book and Toy
Library
The Libraries at South Acton Childrens
Centre are a well resourced and well
used provision.

Families whose children attend the

centre are encouraged to join the
Libraries and to take out toys and
games to play with and books to read
with the children at home.

Prior to joining the Book Library, every

parent/carer has an introductory
meeting where they will be shown how
to use the library and given tips on how
to support their child at home.
Parents are also invited to attend our
Family Learning sessions for further
advice and information on their childs
development and how they can support
this.
 I CAN
therapist and a nursery nurse, who work
collaboratively and intensively with up to
10 children with speech and language
A special focus on the development of
speech, language and communication skills difficulties in their nursery setting.
in children with a severe need
In addition to working directly with
I CAN at South Acton Childrens Centre children, the staff involve parents in
provides integrated education and helping their children through parent
speech and language therapy to nursery workshops, review meetings, newsletters
aged children with severe and specific with topic Makaton signs, coffee
speech, language and communication mornings and more events.
difficulties.
Our I CAN provision is located within
The provision is one of only 13 remaining the Oak Nursery Classroom .
countrywide. It was developed by I CAN
the charity that helps children
communicate, in partnership with Ealing
Local Authority and Ealing Primary Care
Trust. The children are referred to the
provision by their local speech and
language therapist with their parents
consent.
Our I CAN provision has a specialist
teacher, a speech and language

Centre Practitioner
Groups
A range of groups for parents to be, new
parents, and the whole family. Check the
Childrens Centre Reception for an up-to-
date timetable.
Antenatal Breastfeeding Workshop
A two hour workshop that prepares
mothers for breastfeeding. It covers
anatomy and physiology, benefits of
breastfeeding, top tips for both
Antenatal Clinic
An appointment based clinic from the
Midwife comprising of antenatal
checks, referral and liaison with Queen
Charlottes Hospital, foetal position,
growth and development checks. The
clinic gives parents the opportunity to
ask questions and discuss all aspects of
Baby Massage
A class renowned for promoting early
bonding between parent and baby, and
supporting them struggling with colicky
babies or sleep problems. It is also an
opportunity to meet other new mums and
share experiences. The course is usually
over a five to six week period and it is
helpful to attend all sessions.
Baby Hour
This group is aimed at parents to be,
parents/carers and children generally
under 12months It is a welcoming
friendly playgroup with qualified workers
on hand to offer advice and support
when necessary.
Stay and Play
Weekly groups provide lots of fun
activities for 0-5 years and their
parents /carers. Lots of fun
activities for everyone to enjoy
together. These groups are held at
the centre and at Southfields school
Managing your Mood (by invitation)
A six week course run by the IAPT
and Perinatal Health Teams. A
chance for mothers who may be
finding having a new baby difficult to
get together and discuss things with
professionals and each other. Crche
Lets Get Cooking (invitation only)
A family learning session for parents
and children too cook together and
learn about healthy cooking and
Messy Fingers
A messy playgroup including a lot of
painting, sticking and water play, run
at Oak Tree Community Centre
Movers and Groovers FRED
A musical group focussing on the physical Fathers Reading Every DAYa group
development and coordination of that encourages fathers and male carers
children. to read with their young children.
Research proves how valuable this can be
ESOL Classes for their development. Mums are
Accredited courses for parents who want welcome to attend too!
to improve their English. Crche is
sometimes available for this course.
Skills and Employment Support
Support with training courses and routes
Parent Information Classes (Antenatal) back into work with sessions from the
Covers signs of labour, pain relief, birth Information Officer and our onsite Job
plans, complications of labour, early days Centre Plus Advisor
of parenting, birthing positions and more
though a range of videos and free Sing and Story Time
Two groups, depending on age of child
that are run at Acton Library. With
Childminders Network
music, songs and stories.
Runs in conjunction with a stay and play
session at the centre
Toy Library
Families can borrow a range of
Postnatal & Breastfeeding Support multicultural, educational age
A group for mums who have just given appropriate toys that encourage
birth. There are professionals on hand to childrens development.
offer support and advice on a variety of
issues faced after having a baby.
South Acton Childrens Centre is a great
resource for the area. As a parent you
are able to get involved in many ways.
There is the role of Parent Governor
which can be very beneficial - as a
parent as you will be able to put across
points from a parents perspective and
to get involved in the running of the
centre.
Parents can help staff out in the
Nursery, helping children reach their
full potential.
By being a part of the Parent team, you
can be a part of deciding what events
Families would like to happen on top of
the fantastic services that are on offer
to the under 5s.
There are other staff on site and
workshops for parents to help
themselves as well as to help their
children, which is a fantastic way of
helping yourself and your family.
Parent Testimony
top of that, my children have had a
I am a Mother of three children who great range of services, provided
have all attended the Nursery and used through the Centre, to enjoy and
all of the facilities that the Centre has educate them throughout their early
to offer, and we all have years... and it is still helping them to
benefited immensely from doing so. this day!
I have been on workshops South Acton Childrens Centre
to help me to understand is a very good, welcoming
children's behaviour which re so ur ce for th e lo cal
now helps me to community, and all can benefit
understand my children from using it just as my family
much more! and I have.
I have also done a Wendy Spiteri.
computer course which was
very good as it lead me
into college to do a City
and Guilds in Computing.
The Job Centre has helped me with
finding funds for childcare while I was
studying.
I'm about to start a new self awareness
course and have child care in place - On
South Acton Childrens Centre encourages
Parental Involvement as it is very important for
us to get every type of feedback from parents.
 Letter from the Chair of Governors

Dear Parents and Carers, We do this through ensuring that there Chair of Governors
are maximum opportunities for parents
In my capacity of Chair of Governors, I to support their children.
would like to welcome you to South
Acton Childrens Centre and to the These include joining the Governing
offer we make to you and your children. Body to help us manage the Centre
effectively, helping in the Centre as a
Our offer is built on working closely volunteer and also providing feedback to
with parents and the community, help us shape services to you.
listening carefully and developing
effective ways of addressing children, I hope that you and your children enjoy
parent and family needs. the time that you spend here in the
Centre.

We are proud of the services we offer

here and we are proud of the Best Wishes
partnership we have with our parents in
ensuring we achieve the best possible
outcomes for the children. Simon Hall
 Doctors Surgery Morrison Supermarket

South Acton Childrens Centre

Acton Health Centre
(off Park Road North)
Castle Close
Acton W3 8RX
Park Road North
0208 992 0724

www.southactoncc.com
South Acton
Childrens Centre
admin@southactoncc.com

Castle Close

CONTACT US:
South Acton Childrens Centre values and
welcomes comments and suggestions about the
services that we provide. Anyone wishing to give
feedback or receive more information can contact
us on any of the methods above.