Start Point Northam

Start Point Northam Nursery Southampton is a term-time only nursery, managed by the council. The nursery provides early years, Government-funded education and provides a range of play opportunities and stimulating activities, both inside and out.

Start Point Northam is registered with Ofsted and inspected regularly. Staff have high ambitions for all children. They come from a diverse range of backgrounds, are all-inclusive, and adopt a caring approach towards all children. They offer all children plenty of emotional support, which means that children relax quickly into play. Staff have extensive experience and knowledge and are trained to a high level.

Mission statement

"Start Point Northam nursery provides a safe, stimulating happy environment, where all children thrive".

Start Point Northam is here to foster the foundations for children to achieve their best outcomes. To provide a safe, stimulating, happy, inclusive environment where children flourish, build positive relationships, respect each other, be valued as an individual, learn through play, grow to be confident, resilient and have a voice. We take pride in promoting children’s wellbeing, healthy living and develop their self-esteem. We work in partnership with parents, encouraging active participation as we support their child’s learning journey.

March 2025

Key information

• Ofsted report
• Local offer

Contact details

• Phone: 023 8033 6527
• Email: startpoint.northam@southampton.gov.uk

Venue

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The nursery is tucked into the community building but has its own designated entrance and space within the building.

Our nursery rhythm of the day

Some children have individualised support within the sessions. We use a variety of educational programs to support speech, language and communication development. We also support attention and focus through these programs.

How to apply

First, book a show-around by calling 023 8033 6527. Then collect and complete an application form from reception.

All children receive 15 hours of funded sessions from the Government. Some children come into nursery on two-year funding if the family meets the criteria. Some parents can claim for 30 hours if they meet the criteria.

We invite all parents to a show-around or 'play and stay' once we receive their application. We will then contact parents once a space becomes available.

Admissions policy

Under this setting’s admissions policy, sessions are allocated according to availability and according to children's age and stage of development.

Opening hours

We are open from Monday to Friday, 8.45am-3.25pm. Term-time only.

Session times

Session or category	Times
Morning	8.45-11.45am
Afternoon	12.30-3.25pm
Flexi hours - Monday and Tuesday	8.45am-2.45pm
Flexi hours - Wednesday	8.45-11.45am
30 hours	8.45am-2.45pm

Meet the team

Fees

Free government funding

• 15 hours all children
• 30 hours if eligible

Additional fees (not included in funded hours)

Item	Notes	Fee
Lunch	Per day. Not applicable to children attending 30 hours	£5
Extra hour, under threes	If available	£9.50
Extra whole session, under threes	Morning or afternoon. If available	£28.50
Extra hour, over threes	If available	£7
Extra whole session, over threes	Morning or afternoon. If available	£21
Late collection fee	Parents who are late collecting their child(ren) may incur a charge of £25 per hour to cover additional staffing costs. This is in addition to the late collection charge of £25. These charges are on the Terms and Conditions that you signed. Verbal and written warning given first.	£25 per hour in addition to the £25 late collection fee
Books returned damaged	-	£5
Toothbrushing program	Voluntary	£6 per year, £2 per term
Cooking activities	Voluntary	£2
Celebrations	Voluntary. This includes Eid, Christmas party, Mothers and Father’s Day buffets, the leavers party, and events such as healthy eating buffets and sports days. Invitations to these events will be given out to parents prior to the event	£3

Notes on additional sessions

If parents request additional sessions or hours, these will be invoiced half-termly and in advance. All additional booked sessions must be paid, irrespective of whether children are present or not. All fees are paid online.

Invoices are issued and payable through our payment portal.

We require four weeks’ if you intend to withdraw your child or alter hours. If notice is not received, you will be charged for the additional sessions.

Policies

These are available for all parents to view when their child has started at Start Point Northam Nursery.

When children start with the nursery, parents are given a welcome booklet and a nursery rhyme booklet with Makaton signing or Aided Language board.

They also receive a document informing parents of how we safeguard their child whilst in the nursery. This includes:

• Stranger awareness
• Trusted adults and seeking help – Making children feel comfortable to speak up
• Road safety
• Health and safety equipment, such as wearing helmets on bikes
• Safe touch and consent, such as the 'PANTS' underwear rule
• Online safety
• Fire and emergency awareness
• Personal boundaries and feelings
• Sun safety
• Dangers in the environment
• What is safe to eat
• Water safety
• Firework safety
• Whistleblowing
• Having a designated safeguarding lead
• Safer recruitment
• Safe sleep
• Restrictive intervention and physical restraint

We use practical and engaging teaching methods, such as:

• Roleplays and scenarios
• Social stories
• Stories and puppets
• Outdoor learning where appropriate, such as safety walks
• Safety-themed play activities
• Use song and rhymes where possible
• Body awareness activities
• Personal safety discussions

Attendance

Start Point Northam nursery encourages regular attendance and monitors this each half-term for all children.

Achievements

Healthy Early Years Award (HEYA)

Start Point Northam Nursery has achieved their HEYA Gold Award. This includes healthy eating, healthy mouths, physical, mental health and wellbeing, and parental involvement.

Staff training

All staff complete regular training. Start Point Northam has achieved its Mark of Achievement from Dingley’s Promise.