Nursery World - Nursery Management: Case Study: Heathfield Children's Centre

Dialogue with the architects ensured that a Richmond-upon-Thames setting has fulfilled its remit to provide a flexible and stimulating environment, finds Karen Faux.

In two years the novelty of a beautiful, purpose-built environment has not worn off for the occupants of Heathfield Children's Centre and Nursery in Richmond-upon-Thames. As services are evolving, what staff love most is the flexibility of the design that makes everything possible.

Located in one of the least-affluent pockets of this wealthy London borough, the centre is well-used. While the nursery does not provide full day care, more than 100 children attend either morning or afternoon sessions and there has been a move to straight three-hour sessions to accommodate the 15 hour entitlement.

The children's centre, meanwhile, offers a packed schedule including stay and play sessions, a young parents group, an early pregnancy advice clinic, victim support, relate counselling and speech and language therapy. A course to support parents getting back to work and a five-week child safety course have recently been introduced.

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