Cedar House Nursery

1. What is the current plan for Cedar House Nursery? 

Cedar House Nursery is currently run by the Trust and situated within Mapother House which will be redeveloped as part of the Trusts modernisation programme. Therefore, once work starts to redevelop this building, we will need to find a new interim site for the nursery. 

The nursery will stay in Mapother House until it closes in 2024, after which it will move. We currently have not identified where the nursery will move to; however, we are exploring several options and will be bringing a business case to the executive team in support of our new nursery.

Kings College Hospital have also been exploring options for their nursery which will also be closing, and our Trusts have begun working together to explore possible options for this nursery to be delivered jointly.

 

2. What is the current timeline of work?

The Trust is working with a consultant and internal teams to put together a business case for the interim nursery provision with different options we could provide. An option as part of this could be a partnership with Kings.

We are still in the early stages of planning, but we hope that we can update on the business case and developing plans in January 2024.

 

3. Why have we decided to explore joining with Kings?

Both South London and Maudsley and Kings College University understand how important the nursery services are to staff and have decided to explore a potential partnership nursery which would allow us to share the costs of establishing and running the new interim nursery.

 

4. What does this mean for me and my family?

The nursery will stay in Mapother House until it closes in 2024, after which it will move. We will have informed parents and staff of where the plans for this move and what the new nursery provision will be before this closure takes place. We are currently holding working group meetings chaired by Sue Smith, Chief People Officer, to update parents on plans and timelines. If you are a parent and would like to join the monthly working group, please email modernisationprogramme@slam.nhs.uk 

 

5. Will there be any changes to the current nursery fees?  

Normally nursery fees increase each year, however, with Covid and the uncertainty of the nursery remaining at Mapother House, no increase has been applied since 2020.

This year the Trust undertook a benchmarking exercise to compare our fees against private providers in the area and we are pleased we are still able to offer affordable childcare below current market rates.

The fee increase will come into effect in May 2024. We are pleased we are still able to offer affordable childcare below current market rates.

 

6. What will happen to the current nursery staff?  

As we explore options for the interim nursery provision and Mapother House remains open, all current nursery staff are still employed by the Trust, and we are currently seeking to hire more members of staff.

 

7. As the nursery will now be open longer than initially proposed, how would I get my child a place?

Our nursery waiting list has now closed and we do not know when this will reopen. If you are interested in a place please keep an eye on the FAQs page as we will update the page if it reopens. If you would like more information please email modernisationprogramme@slam.nhs.uk 

 

8. How have you committed to keeping parents involved and informed?  

We have agreed to hold monthly meetings with the parents to keep them informed about working plans and ideas.  

If you are a parent and would like to join the monthly working group, please email modernisationprogramme@slam.nhs.uk 

9. How can I get in contact? 

You can share your feedback on the plans by emailing; 

Sue Smith - Chief People Officer modernisationprogramme@slam.nhs.uk