Hazeldene Pre-School

Hazeldene Pre-School is a 36-place sessional setting at Footscray Baptist Church on Sidcup Hill. Its October 2024 Ofsted inspection judged it Good across education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Safeguarding arrangements were effective.

The strongest picture is of children who settle confidently into familiar routines and stay busy in their play. Staff knew individual children well, while books, creative work, construction and sensory play gave the session variety and purpose.

Hazeldene follows the Early Years Foundation Stage. In practical terms, this means play and adult-guided experiences develop communication, physical skills, personal and social development, literacy, mathematics, understanding of the world and expressive arts.

In October 2024, children chose from arts and crafts, small-world play, construction and sensory activities. One pumpkin activity used spoons and tweezers to build hand strength. Transitions into group time covered initial sounds, days of the week and weather, while outdoor play with scooters and pedal cars developed control and coordination. Ofsted asked leaders to revisit circle-time arrangements so they better match individual attention spans.

Relationships were a clear strength at the 2024 inspection. Children approached familiar staff for affection, brought them books and listened comfortably on their laps. Staff used prompts and visual aids to develop vocabulary, including for children learning English as an additional language.

Independence ran through snack and personal-care routines: children served fruit, cleared plates and managed toileting and handwashing. Leaders identified children making less progress and worked with parents to secure support for children with SEND. Parents received progress updates and ideas for learning at home.

Two improvement points matter for families. Staff were asked to explain why behaviour can be undesirable, rather than relying on rules alone, and to give clearer, more consistent messages about healthy eating.

The pre-school is based at Footscray Baptist Church, Sidcup Hill, Sidcup, DA14 6JS. Current nursery-specific prices belong in the provider’s written quotation.

• Session fit. Ask which session patterns, days and clock times are currently offered, because this is a sessional pre-school and the available evidence does not establish the booking timetable.
• Food approach. Discuss the current snack and healthy-eating approach, including how the October 2024 improvement point has been addressed.
• Group time. Ask how circle time is now organised for children with different attention spans following Ofsted's recommendation.

Hazeldene's strongest case is the warm, purposeful session observed in October 2024: children were comfortable with staff, absorbed in varied play and encouraged to manage everyday tasks independently. It should suit families seeking sessional early-years provision with an emphasis on play, communication and self-help skills. Its fit for a particular morning, afternoon or combination of days depends on the current timetable.