St. Barnabas Pre School Nursery

In February 2024, superhero drawings, take-home reading books and children clearing up their own spills illustrated the character of St. Barnabas Pre School Nursery: play and everyday independence shared the day. This Bexley setting has capacity for 35 children and operates at St. Barnabas Church Hall on Tile Kiln Lane.

At its February 2024 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and described positive learning progress, including support planned around children’s individual needs. The children attending then were aged two to four.

In February 2024, children chose activities after staff explained the day’s options, with planning shaped by their interests and next learning steps. Drawing favourite superheroes became an opportunity to explore sounds and letters. That gave early literacy a connection to something children already enjoyed.

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care; here, the February 2024 examples included learning through play and practising independence. Children put away their belongings on racks and used their names to register themselves, giving them an active part in the routine.

Adult-led work had a limitation. At the February 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that staff sometimes directed children’s pictures too closely and moved on before children had enough opportunity to experiment, identifying support for their own ideas as the improvement priority.

In February 2024, staff gathered starting-point assessments with parents before children began, helping them plan around individual needs. Key-person knowledge also informed the daily activities. These were practical ways of connecting a child’s starting point with what happened next.

Reading books went home for families to share, alongside a contact book containing ideas for learning together. Daily music and movement encouraged children to notice changes in their heartbeat and body temperature and recognise when they needed a rest.

Behaviour routines made kindness concrete. Children discussed shared expectations, used polite language at mealtimes and took responsibility for small tasks such as cleaning a spilled drink.

The address is St. Barnabas Church Hall, Tile Kiln Lane, Bexley, DA5 2BG.

In February 2024, opening hours were 9am to midday on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 9am to 3.30pm on Wednesday and Friday, during term time. At that date, the nursery received funding for free early education for three- and four-year-olds. These arrangements describe its inspection-era operation.

• Space for children’s ideas. The February 2024 improvement priority concerned adult-directed activities. Ask how staff now give children time to experiment and make their own choices.
• Fit with the family week. The February 2024 timetable combined shorter mornings with longer Wednesday and Friday opening. At a visit, ask which current attendance arrangements would fit your routine.

St. Barnabas suits families drawn to play linked with early literacy, everyday independence and learning shared with home. Its February 2024 examples give those priorities substance. The balance between adult guidance and children’s own experimentation remains the useful point to explore.