St Mary's Pre-school Shortlands

St Mary's Pre-school Shortlands is a sessional pre-school in St Mary's Church Hall, St Mary's Avenue, BR2 0PU. Its January 2024 Ofsted inspection judged it Good overall, with effective safeguarding. The strongest thread is purposeful, warm interaction: children formed secure bonds with key people while staff used conversation and practical tasks to extend learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes the curriculum, meaning children's play and adult-led experiences cover communication, physical development, personal and social growth, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts. In January 2024, planning built on children's interests and what they had already learned.

The detail beneath that judgement is useful. Children made play dough by following a recipe, sharing equipment, counting and measuring ingredients. Staff demonstrated scissors to first-time users, then supported children to try independently. Yoga helped children settle for learning, while using tongs to serve fruit and vegetables strengthened fine-motor control. These are simple activities used with clear educational intent.

Relationships were a clear strength in January 2024. Attentive staff knew children well, and strong key-person bonds helped them feel secure. Communication was built through clear speech, repetition, commentary, new vocabulary and meaningful questions, including for children with communication needs or English as an additional language.

Safeguarding arrangements were effective at the inspection, with an open culture centred on children's interests. Staff also promoted physical activity, healthy snacks, hygiene and oral health. Diversity and inclusion featured through work on cultures, faiths and festivals, alongside visits to a local care home and links with local schools. Parent feedback to Ofsted was positive about communication and support for continuing learning at home.

The pre-school is based at St Mary's Church Hall in Shortlands. Families should seek a current written quotation directly from the pre-school.

• Transitions between activities. Ofsted asked the setting to strengthen routines around changes of activity because some children became distracted during transitions and tidy-up periods. Families may want to discuss how those routines have developed since January 2024.
• Attendance pattern. This is recorded as sessional day care, but families should establish which days and session patterns fit their needs before applying.
• Practical arrangements. Ask about meals or snacks, consumables, funded entitlement and the current charge structure together, so the total weekly arrangement is clear.

This is a compact pre-school with evidence of affectionate key-person relationships and learning drawn from practical experiences rather than worksheets. It should suit families seeking sessional provision where language, independence and hands-on exploration are prominent. The improvement point around transitions is specific and worth discussing, but it sits alongside a Good overall judgement and effective safeguarding.