St Pauls Pre-School

In July 2024, a boat trip on the River Thames showed how children's interest in sea animals had extended learning beyond the play space. Based at Invicta Community Hall in London, St Pauls Pre-School has 20 places in total.

At its July 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good and safeguarding effective. Children attending then were aged 2 to 4; the account below describes their experiences in that month.

In July 2024, children could choose resources for themselves, giving them a practical say in their play. A pretend shop brought vocabulary and number work together: children explored goods, counted purchases and practised paying. The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning and care, with play supporting language, early mathematics and growing independence.

An interest in sea animals led to an aquarium outing by boat on the River Thames. Regular community outings extended learning beyond the setting, while discussions about waste and its effect on marine life connected that interest with caring for the environment.

Outdoor activity included growing vegetables, watering plants and examining insects. Children could follow changes as plants developed, rather than encounter nature only through pictures. Regular visits from a parent introduced nursery rhymes from Nigeria, alongside books showing different cultures and conversations about celebrations.

Stories in groups supported listening and taking turns. Drawing, cutting and sticking gave children practice with early writing and hand control. There was a clear next step for older children, however: adults needed to leave more room for them to work out solutions when a construction or creative task became difficult.

At the July 2024 inspection, Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities made very good progress, with picture cards helping those who struggled with communication to understand the day and express their needs. This is a concrete support mechanism: children had another way to communicate alongside speech.

In July 2024, children formed trusting relationships with their key workers and settled readily. Staff used consistent responses to behaviour, and games helped children practise waiting for a turn. Everyday independence mattered too, from managing shoes and coats to handwashing and tidying after lunch.

Communication with families included learning activities for home, questionnaires and parent meetings. Feedback about development helped connect children's experiences at the setting with what families could support at home.

The address is Invicta Community Hall, Strandfield Close, London SE18 1LA.

In July 2024, opening hours were 8.30am to 2.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. The setting also received funding for free early education for children aged two and three. These are dated operating arrangements, rather than a description of today's attendance terms.

• Older children's problem-solving. In July 2024, children sometimes received too little encouragement to try alternative ways of joining materials. Independent experimentation is a useful point to explore during a visit.
• Term-time attendance. The July 2024 timetable covered weekdays during school terms. What attendance arrangements and funded-place terms would apply to your child now?

St Pauls Pre-School's July 2024 picture suits families who value learning through everyday play, community outings and practical communication support. The aquarium journey, vegetable growing and visiting parent's songs gave children concrete experiences to build on. The balance to weigh is older children's independence: opportunities to try, reconsider and solve a difficulty needed more attention.