St Mary's Under 5's Preschool

Bug hunts in the adjacent park and children serving themselves at snack time give St Mary's Under 5's Preschool a practical, everyday character. In March 2025, outdoor exploration sat alongside learning to manage small tasks independently. These are useful foundations for children preparing for school.

Ofsted rated the preschool Good on 5 March 2025. At that visit, children were aged two to four; the setting has capacity for 40 children in total.

In March 2025, learning combined conversation, movement and exploration. The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, its everyday expression included practising language, taking turns and investigating nature.

Small groups gave quieter children opportunities to join conversations with more confident peers. Adults repeated useful words and allowed time for answers. Music and movement brought another kind of participation, while toddlers had a softer area for physical exploration. That gave younger children space to attempt more adventurous movement.

The adjacent park extended the day beyond the preschool. In March 2025, children visited frequently for physical play and activities such as searching for bugs. Families also shared cultural celebrations, which the preschool marked, sometimes with food brought by parents. Familiar experiences from home became part of learning about other people.

At its March 2025 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and judged support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) effective, with staff, parents and specialist professionals working together to obtain individual help.

In March 2025, key-person relationships supported communication with families about children's learning and development. Staff also exchanged information internally so that adults working directly with a child understood their needs. Parents knew their child's key person well.

Everyday routines encouraged independence. In March 2025, children washed their hands, waited at the snack table and helped themselves to food and drinks, including children who had recently joined. Adults demonstrated manners and guided sharing calmly. Leaders supported staff and had broadened their access to training, giving the team opportunities to develop its practice.

The address is Recreation Ground, London Road, Greenhithe, DA9 9DQ.

In March 2025, opening hours were 8.30am to 3.15pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The preschool received funding for free early education for two-, three- and four-year-olds at that time. Those arrangements describe the inspection period.

• Listening before school. In March 2025, children contributed in small groups, but opportunities to practise listening and concentrating in larger groups needed development. This is the clearest improvement priority for families approaching school age.
• Term-time planning. The March 2025 opening pattern followed term time and ended at 3.15pm. Families whose working day extends beyond that window should weigh how it fits their childcare needs.
• Planning a visit. How do today's attendance arrangements and funded provision fit your child's age and your family's weekly routine?

St Mary's offers an inspection-era picture of practical independence, conversation and outdoor exploration, with the adjacent park adding a useful setting for physical activity and nature learning. It suits families drawn to these experiences and, on the March 2025 attendance pattern, daytime care during school terms. Developing listening and concentration in larger groups remains the important counterweight to the positive findings.