Sunny Kids, St Andrews

In September 2025, a large garden and an emphasis on children doing things for themselves characterised Sunny Kids, St Andrews. Based at St. Andrews Church in Eltham, it has 35 places in total. At its September 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated it Good, judged safeguarding effective and found that children were making good developmental progress.

The children attending in September 2025 were aged 1 to 4. Practical independence and conversation ran through their play, although the arrangement of quieter activities and the organisation of mealtimes needed attention.

In September 2025, children could choose between indoor activities and outdoor play, with a large garden extending their space. Trips included the local theatre and library. These experiences took learning beyond the church hall, though no frequency is attached to them.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the September 2025 examples included investigating textures through painting with malleable materials and exploring bubbles at a water tray. Adults joined the play and developed conversation, giving children opportunities to put ideas into words.

Independence also had a practical expression: children used the bathroom with little adult assistance. Staff encouraged them to think about why running indoors with rain-wet shoes could be risky. That connected everyday choices with learning to judge hazards.

The quieter space worked less well. In September 2025, music-making beside the story area distracted children and made listening difficult. The physical arrangement mattered as much as the activities themselves.

At the September 2025 inspection, Ofsted found that support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities involved individual targets, local-authority collaboration and advice from external professionals.

In September 2025, staff's knowledge of families helped children settle, and children shared their drawings and achievements with adults. Praise and encouragement to include others in play supported relationships between children. Parents received updates online as well as through conversations, providing material for continuing learning at home.

Staff also had meetings and training, with opportunities to discuss their work. Mealtimes exposed a weaker point: in September 2025, some adults were unsure of the routine, leaving children unclear about expectations. This was an organisational concern rather than a finding about the food itself.

The address is St. Andrews Church, 233 Court Road, London SE9 4TQ.

In September 2025, opening hours were 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, during term time. That timetable placed childcare within the school-term calendar; families needing holiday cover should weigh that dated operating pattern carefully.

• Listening space. In September 2025, nearby musical play interrupted stories. On a visit, look at how quieter activities are separated from noisier ones.
• Mealtime organisation. September 2025 routines were inconsistent between staff. Ask how adults now make expectations clear to children.
• Attendance planning. The September 2025 timetable was term-time only. What current attendance patterns could accommodate your family's working week?

Sunny Kids, St Andrews merits consideration by families drawn to practical independence, outdoor play and conversational learning. Its September 2025 term-time timetable would suit families whose childcare needs follow the school calendar. The two concrete weaknesses, listening space and mealtime routines, deserve attention alongside the positive care and learning findings.