St Augustine's Pre-School

Warm relationships and purposeful outdoor learning define this Belvedere pre-school. Ofsted judged it Good in January 2024, finding children settled, safe and happy, with good progress from their starting points. The strongest practical picture is of children choosing activities, sustaining their play and learning, and responding confidently to familiar adults.

This is a sessional setting in St Augustine's Church Hall on St Augustine's Road. In January 2024, leaders delivered a broad curriculum matched to children's ages and stages, alongside positive work with external agencies for children with speech and language delay.

The Early Years Foundation Stage means learning develops through play across areas such as communication, physical development and understanding the world. In practice here, that meant children choosing activities that interested them, singing familiar rhymes and listening attentively to stories in January 2024. Staff used conversation and positive interaction to build communication and language.

Outdoor learning had real substance. In January 2024, active play sat alongside close encounters with the natural world. Adults prompted children to revisit earlier ideas, so time outside supported physical confidence and sustained thinking rather than serving simply as a place to let off steam.

Children's relationships with staff were a clear strength at the January 2024 inspection. Adults built children's sense of security through calm interactions. Information gathered when each child joined shaped the next steps planned for their care and learning. Parents told the inspector that their children were happy and had progressed since joining.

The January 2024 inspection found safeguarding effective, supported by staff knowledge, training, vetting and an open culture centred on children's interests. Staff also encouraged sharing and turn-taking, using explanations and distraction to help children understand right from wrong.

There are two important improvement points from January 2024. Leaders were asked to rethink group times so the planning responded more effectively to differing needs, including SEND. Staff deployment during busy periods also needed review to support learning more consistently.

The pre-school operates from St Augustine's Church Hall, St Augustine's Road, Belvedere, DA17 5HH. Families should seek a written quotation directly from the pre-school before making a decision.

Group activities. The January 2024 inspection found that the planning of group times did not work equally well for differing needs, including SEND. Families whose child needs additional support should discuss how these activities are now adapted.

Busy-period deployment. The January 2024 inspection called for staff deployment to be reviewed at busy times. A visit should explore how practitioners are positioned during transitions and the busiest parts of a session.

St Augustine's Pre-School is best suited to families who value warm adult relationships, child-chosen play and hands-on outdoor learning in a small sessional setting. Its Good judgement rests on settled children, purposeful teaching and effective safeguarding. The improvement priorities around inclusive group times and busy-period staffing are specific and important, but they sit within an otherwise positive inspection picture.