St John's URC Preschool Group

A sessional preschool in St John's United Reform Church, this Orpington setting has a clear emphasis on social confidence. Ofsted judged it Good in July 2023, when children settled quickly, behaved very well and made good progress. Safeguarding arrangements were effective.

The practical offer centres on term-time funded childcare. Together for 2s, working-family funding for two-year-olds, universal funding for three- and four-year-olds and working-family funding for three- and four-year-olds are all listed, alongside Tax Free Childcare.

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes the educational programme: children learn through play, adult interaction and experiences across communication, physical, personal, literacy, mathematics, understanding-the-world and expressive areas. In July 2023, staff used children's interests and existing knowledge to plan next steps. Younger children tackled a puzzle with adult questions, while others cut shapes to make handbags and older children explored addition and subtraction with pasta.

Language and early literacy ran through the session. Staff used songs, questions, clear pronunciation and modelled words; children also practised letter sounds and writing their names. Physical activity included indoor ride-on toys and equipment in the outdoor play area. These concrete experiences gave children several routes into learning rather than relying on formal tabletop work.

In 2023, the organised environment kept children engaged in meaningful play and staff adapted their approach. It identified three next steps: make better use of everyday opportunities for independence, improve children's understanding of healthy choices at snack time, and strengthen professional development so teaching develops further.

Relationships were a clear strength in July 2023. Children settled happily with familiar adults, shared resources and talked together; staff knew them well. Parents reported that practitioners understood individual needs, gave progress updates and suggested ways to extend learning at home.

In July 2023, safeguarding arrangements were effective. Staff understood reporting responsibilities, supervised children and used risk assessments. Inspectors also found secure social skills and very good behaviour, supported by expectations around turn-taking, listening, patience and kindness.

A visual timetable forms part of the setting's SEND Local Offer. This gives children a concrete sequence for the day, which can make routines easier to anticipate. Families whose child needs tailored support should use a visit to discuss how that tool would sit alongside the child's own plan.

The preschool is at St. Johns United Reform Church, Lynwood Grove, Orpington, BR6 0BG. Funded childcare is delivered during term time, with published weekday and time combinations varying between funding streams; the council also notes that some remaining working-family entitlement can be used at another Ofsted-registered setting.

The listed funding routes are Together for 2s, working-family funding for two-year-olds, universal funding for three- and four-year-olds, and working-family funding for three- and four-year-olds. Tax Free Childcare is accepted. A deposit applies across the listed funding streams and is returned at the end of the first term. Additional private hours are separated into categories for two-year-olds and for three- and four-year-olds, so families should request a current nursery-specific quotation for their preferred pattern.

• Snack-time practice. In July 2023, staff sometimes prepared snacks and poured milk for children, and a daily biscuit was part of the routine. Ofsted asked the setting to build more independence into everyday tasks and help children understand healthy choices, so families can discuss how snack time now works.
• Attendance combinations. Funded provision is term-time and the combinations differ by entitlement. Families should compare the published pattern for their funding stream with the days they actually need, including whether they would use another registered setting for any remaining entitlement.
• SEND routines. A visual timetable is listed in the SEND Local Offer. Parents seeking individual support can explore how the setting adapts routines, communication and learning for their child's needs.

St John's URC Preschool Group suits families seeking term-time sessional preschool provision, whether through Together for 2s or the three- and four-year-old universal and working-family routes. Its strongest documented qualities are warm relationships, purposeful play and clear support for communication. The July 2023 action points on independence, healthy snack choices and staff development are sensible topics for a current visit.