# 1st Place at the Elephant

1st Place at the Elephant is a full-day nursery at 15 Hampton Street, LONDON, SE17 3AN, in Newington, Southwark. It is registered for 100 children and takes children aged 6 months to 5 years. It opens 08:00–18:00, Mon–Fri, 50 weeks a year. Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection in May 2025, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025. Its published full-day fees range from £104 to £130 (nursery website, November 2026). It offers funded hours from 9 months, funded places for 2-year-olds and the 30 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds, and accepts Tax-Free Childcare. It has a Google rating of 4.1 from 13 reviews (November 2026). It is run by 1st Place Children and Parents' Centre Ltd.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/1st-place-at-the-elephant-2741844  
Last checked 12 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: 15 Hampton Street, LONDON, SE17 3AN
- Ages: 6 months to 5 years
- Opening hours: 08:00–18:00, Mon–Fri
- Weeks open: 50 a year
- Registered places: 100
- Funded childcare: funded hours from 9 months, funded places for 2-year-olds and the 30 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds
- Tax-Free Childcare: yes
- Meals included: yes
- Phone: 020 7998 6430
- Website: https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more
- Run by: [1st Place Children and Parents' Centre Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/groups/1st-place-children-and-parents-centre-ltd)
- Ofsted URN: 2741844

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection on 13 May 2025, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Good
- Behaviour and attitudes: Good
- Personal development: Good
- Leadership and management: Good

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2741844

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since July 2023 (Reference 2741844). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2741844)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 13 May 2025). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2741844)
- Registered places: 100 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2741844)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 26 March 2025). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1662830)

## Fees

| Age | Full day | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| All ages | £104 (£10.40 an hour) | £13 |

Price per hour is the day rate over a 10-hour day, from the nursery's opening hours.

- Registration fee: £25

Source: nursery website (https://www.1stplace.uk.com/s/1st-Place-Nursery-Fees-2026_27.pdf), 11 November 2026.

Funded hours: From 9 months, 2-year-olds, 30 hours.

## Hours and ages

- Monday to Friday: 08:00–18:00
- Ages: 6 months to 5 years
- Weeks open: 50 a year
- Sessions: full day and per hour

## Getting there

Address: 15 Hampton Street, LONDON, SE17 3AN

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.491934,-0.099576

- Station: Elephant & Castle, 0.2 miles
- Station: Kennington, 0.4 miles, no step-free access
- Station: Borough, 0.7 miles, step-free access
- 20 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Elephant Park, under 0.1 miles
- Park: St Mary's Churchyard, under 0.1 miles
- Park: Pullens Open Space, 0.2 miles
- Park: Wansey Gardens, 0.2 miles
- Park: Falmouth Road Gardens, 0.2 miles
- Playground: Playground, under 0.1 miles

© OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026 · Powered by TfL Open Data, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Southwark there are about 3.1 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings

- Google: 4.1 out of 5 from 13 reviews (as of 12 November 2026)

## About: a day here

### Learning

Its website says the nursery uses Forest school, Reggio Emilia inspired and play-based EYFS curriculum approaches. The 2025 Ofsted inspection rated overall effectiveness Good and quality of education Good. Its website also names a sensory room, library visits and woodland trips.

- Forest school (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Reggio Emilia inspired (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Play-based EYFS curriculum (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)

### Food

Meals are included in the fees. Its website says meals are cooked on site, with a vegetarian menu, halal meals and an allergy-aware kitchen.

- Meals cooked on site (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/s/1st-Place-Nursery-Fees-2026_27.pdf)
- Vegetarian menu (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Halal meals (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Allergy-aware kitchen (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Meals included in fees (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)

### Outdoors

Its website says the nursery has its own garden and a growing or allotment area, and makes regular park trips. It also lists local outings and trips.

- Own garden (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Regular park trips (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Growing / allotment area (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Local outings and trips (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)

### Settling in

Its website says settling in starts with a home visit so the child can meet their Key Person at home, followed by a gradual settling-in period at the nursery. Its website also describes a key person system.

- Key person system (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Flexible sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Open all year (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/fees)
- Half-day sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/funded-nursery-places)
- Nappies and wipes provided (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)

### SEND and inclusion

- Sensory room (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)

### Safety

The 2025 Ofsted inspection found safeguarding effective.

- Parent app with daily updates (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Near public transport (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)

### Extras and activities

- Library visits (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Woodland trips (source: nursery website, https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)

### Getting a place

Its website says families book a tour, then attend a pre-admissions meeting before the child starts. The registration fee is £25. The nursery accepts government-funded hours for working parents of children from 9 months, funded hours for 2-year-olds, the universal 15 funded hours and 30 funded hours for eligible 3-4 year olds, and Tax-Free Childcare.

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crampton Primary | Primary | 4–11 | Outstanding (April 2024) |  | 0.1 miles |
| Imperial Oak School |  | 4–11 |  |  | 0.3 miles |
| Victory Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Good (May 2023) | yes | 0.3 miles |
| Robert Browning Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Report card (December 2025) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| St Paul's Church of England Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | Good (July 2023) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| St Jude's Church of England Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Report card (January 2026) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| Keyworth Primary School | Primary | 2–11 | School remains Good (September 2023) | yes | 0.4 miles |
| Archbishop Sumner Church of England Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good (May 2025) |  | 0.4 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Little Bear's In Elephant And Castle](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-bears-in-elephant-and-castle-2500613) | Good |  | 07:30–18:30 | 0.2 miles |
| [Kido Elephant Park](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/kido-elephant-park-2567271) | Good | £105 | 08:00–18:00 | 0.2 miles |
| [St Johns Pre School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/st-johns-pre-school-107639) | Good |  | 09:00–15:00 | 0.3 miles |
| [Rockingham Community Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/rockingham-community-day-nursery-107456) | Good |  | 08:00–16:00 | 0.3 miles |
| [Rockingham Community Pre-school Playgroup](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/rockingham-community-pre-school-playgroup-107642) | Good |  | 09:00–17:00 | 0.3 miles |
| [Hurley Pre-School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/hurley-pre-school-144055) | Good |  | 08:00–18:00 | 0.3 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does 1st Place at the Elephant cost?

1st Place at the Elephant publishes these fees: full day £104 for all ages, full day £117 for all ages, full day £130 for all ages and per hour £13 for all ages (nursery website, November 2026). Funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare can reduce what you pay.

### Does 1st Place at the Elephant offer 30 funded hours?

Yes. 1st Place at the Elephant offers the 30 funded hours for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds.

### Does 1st Place at the Elephant take funded 2-year-olds?

Yes. 1st Place at the Elephant offers funded places for eligible 2-year-olds.

### Does 1st Place at the Elephant offer funded hours from 9 months?

Yes. 1st Place at the Elephant offers funded hours for eligible children from 9 months.

### What are 1st Place at the Elephant's opening hours?

1st Place at the Elephant opens 08:00–18:00, Mon–Fri.

### Is 1st Place at the Elephant open all year?

Yes, 1st Place at the Elephant is open 50 weeks a year, closing only for short breaks.

### What ages does 1st Place at the Elephant take?

1st Place at the Elephant takes children aged 6 months to 5 years.

### What is 1st Place at the Elephant's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated 1st Place at the Elephant Good at its inspection on 13 May 2025, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can 1st Place at the Elephant take?

1st Place at the Elephant is registered with Ofsted for up to 100 children at any one time.

### Are meals included at 1st Place at the Elephant?

Yes. Meals are included in the fees at 1st Place at the Elephant.

### Does 1st Place at the Elephant accept Tax-Free Childcare?

Yes. 1st Place at the Elephant accepts Tax-Free Childcare payments.

### Is there a registration fee or deposit at 1st Place at the Elephant?

Yes. 1st Place at the Elephant lists a registration fee of £25.

### Who runs 1st Place at the Elephant?

1st Place at the Elephant is run by 1st Place Children and Parents' Centre Ltd, which runs 2 nurseries.

### What approach does 1st Place at the Elephant follow?

1st Place at the Elephant's website describes its approach as: Forest school, Reggio Emilia inspired and Play-based EYFS curriculum.

### Does 1st Place at the Elephant have outdoor space?

1st Place at the Elephant lists: Own garden, Regular park trips, Growing / allotment area and Local outings and trips.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/2741844)
- Fees, hours and features: the nursery's website (www.1stplace.uk.com), as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.1stplace.uk.com/nurseries-find-out-more)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 12 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=1st+Place+at+The+Elephant+%28Nursery%29&query_place_id=ChIJoWu4f4IEdkgRb-ml0MFrUiw)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.