St John Fisher Pre-school CIO

Strong teaching and close, responsive care define St John Fisher Pre-school CIO's first published report card. At its March 2026 inspection, children made excellent progress from their starting points, while achievement, welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership all reached Ofsted's Strong standard. Safeguarding standards were met.

This is a sessional setting at 80 Imperial Close, Harrow, HA2 7LW. In March 2026, the setting had 30 places and children present were aged two to five. Its clearest strengths are practical: staff built language through sustained conversation, personalised settling through detailed information from families, and supported independence in self-care.

The Early Years Foundation Stage provides the statutory areas of learning, but the report shows how practitioners turned that framework into purposeful play. When children became interested in a bug, staff introduced precise vocabulary, explained its life cycle and offered magnifying glasses for careful observation. Younger children followed key words while making a sandcastle; older children linked books to their own experiences.

Planning followed each child's interests and next steps. Practitioners adjusted activities to developmental stage, gave children time to think and encouraged participation. This matters because the challenge changed with the child rather than requiring everyone to complete the same task.

Settling was highly individual in March 2026. Key persons gathered detailed information about children's needs, helping children form trusting relationships and seek comfort from familiar adults. A comfortable book space supported discussion of emotions, while pictures helped some children communicate how they felt.

Inclusion was another clear strength. Staff worked with families, specialists and the local authority early years team, identifying emerging gaps and applying agreed strategies across home and the setting. Parents reported progress in speech, communication and independence.

Healthy routines were taught rather than merely supervised. Children washed their hands before meals, dressed for outdoor play and developed balance through stretching, jumping and positioning large blocks. A teeth-brushing chart extended oral-health work into the home.

The setting is based at 80 Imperial Close, Harrow, HA2 7LW. Families considering its sessional provision will need to compare the setting's current booking patterns with the days they require.

• Behaviour explanations. Ofsted's next step asks staff to explain more consistently why unsuitable behaviour is unacceptable. Families may want to see how practitioners now turn a correction into an age-appropriate explanation.
• Weekly pattern. Compare the setting's current session offer with the days and duration the family requires.
• Age and group organisation. The inspection recorded children aged two to five. Ask how children are grouped across that span during the sessions being considered.

St John Fisher Pre-school CIO stands out for attentive interaction rather than branded extras. Its March 2026 report card describes children making excellent progress, careful support for SEND, effective safeguarding and parents who felt informed and respected. The bug investigation, emotion-book space and home teeth-brushing chart show practitioners connecting language, wellbeing and independence to experiences children can understand.

The setting should suit families seeking sessional early-years provision with strong communication and highly personalised settling. The practical decision is whether its weekly operating pattern and current booking options fit the family's needs.