Sunshine Montessori Pre-School

One room, a garden and a carefully observed mix of child-led play define Sunshine Montessori Pre-School. This sessional setting at St John's Church Rooms in Bromley was judged Good by Ofsted in September 2023, with happy, confident children who formed trusting relationships with practitioners.

The strongest detail is the way ordinary play becomes learning. Dinosaurs, water, wobble boards and an aeroplane overhead all prompted conversation, counting, physical challenge or investigation during the 2023 inspection.

The pre-school operated from one room, with children moving under supervision between it and the garden. Older children shared resources and joined younger children's play, creating a mixed-age social setting rather than separate published room groups.

The Early Years Foundation Stage shapes the educational programme. In parent terms, that means play and everyday routines are used to build communication, early mathematics, physical development and independence. In September 2023, children investigated whether toy dinosaurs would float, counted during a story and voted for a favourite character. Staff supported spoken-language development through responsive interaction and group activities.

Physical confidence had a practical place too. Children tried wobble boards, with a steadying hand available while they managed risk.

At the 2023 inspection, each child had a familiar practitioner who helped them feel secure. Settling began with parents sharing children's likes, dislikes and other useful information, helping practitioners plan activities with individual interests in mind. Parents also received regular updates, ideas for learning at home and termly development sessions.

Children practised independence by washing their hands, pouring drinks and using potties brought from home for continuity. Safeguarding arrangements were effective in September 2023. Practitioners understood signs of concern and reporting procedures, while leaders worked with other professionals, individual plans and funding to support children with SEND.

Sunshine Montessori Pre-School is based at St John's Church Rooms, Park Grove, Bromley, BR1 3HR. It operates as a sessional pre-school.

• Individual next steps. Ofsted asked practitioners to use planned next steps more effectively for each child's learning. Families can explore how current planning follows an individual child's progress.
• Healthy-lifestyle teaching. The 2023 inspection identified snack time as an opportunity to explain healthy choices more clearly. Parents may want to discuss how food routines now build that understanding.
• One-room model. Children shared one room and moved between the room and garden during the inspection. This may appeal to families who value mixed-age interaction; others may wish to understand how quieter play and differing needs are managed.

This is a compact sessional pre-school whose best evidenced qualities are warm relationships, child-led investigation and a strong emphasis on communication. When Ofsted visited in 2023, the one-room model brought older and younger children together, while the garden supported physical challenge. It will suit families seeking a small, mixed-age sessional setting and hands-on learning. Its Good 2023 inspection gives parents useful reassurance, alongside two clear improvement points to discuss when considering whether the setting fits their child.