Portland Bill Pre-School Regina Road Community Centre

Magnetic-shape towers, books borrowed for home and placemats bearing children's photographs give this South Norwood pre-school its character. These October 2023 examples show a day built around exploration, conversation and familiarity rather than activities detached from children's interests.

Ofsted rated the setting Good on 31 October 2023 and judged safeguarding effective. It has capacity for 45 children; children attending in October 2023 were aged two to four.

In October 2023, children chose magnetic shapes and worked together to build a tower, with staff prompting them to think about where pieces should go. When it collapsed, they tried again. The activity gave children a concrete problem to solve together and a reason to persist.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care: play, conversation and everyday routines are opportunities to learn. In October 2023, shared stories involved unfamiliar vocabulary and questions about the plot, while book borrowing extended reading into family life.

Children could choose when to have a snack, washing their hands before helping themselves. This gave them responsibility within an established routine. Photographs of children and their friends, including on laminated placemats, made familiar people part of the physical surroundings.

At its October 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that activities accommodated children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, individual needs shaped practice, and staff tracked progress and worked to address gaps in learning.

In October 2023, children sought reassurance from staff who responded affectionately, and families received information about their children's experiences. Parents could contribute their interests and cultures, including leading yoga sessions; a petting zoo also featured among the pre-school's events and resources. These examples gave families ways to participate beyond receiving updates.

Child protection practice in October 2023 included environmental checks, recruitment checks and procedures for accidents and medication. Staff also shared online-safety information and training with parents, extending practical support beyond the setting.

The address is 110 Regina Road, South Norwood, London SE25 4TW. In October 2023, the pre-school used a community building on a large estate.

At that time, it opened on weekdays during term time, with sessions falling within an 8.45am to 4.30pm window. It also received funding for free early education for children aged two, three and four. These are October 2023 arrangements.

• Questions that extend learning. In October 2023, staff did not consistently use open-ended questions. On a visit, ask how practitioners now develop children's ideas during activities such as construction and storytelling.
• The attendance pattern. The October 2023 arrangements were term-time and sessional. What session choices and holiday arrangements would fit your family's week now?

This pre-school merits consideration by families drawn to shared reading, practical problem-solving and opportunities to contribute to children's experiences. Its October 2023 day combined independent choices with familiar routines and responsive adults. The Good judgement provides a useful dated assessment, with consistency in questioning the clear improvement priority.