The Ark Pre-School, Bromley Christian Centre

Inspection of The Ark Pre-School, Bromley Christian Centre 2 Masons Hill, Bromley, Kent BR2 9HA

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Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children separate easily from parents. They are keen to engage in a range of stimulating activities in a caring environment. Staff support children's enthusiasm by providing a range of motivating learning experiences, to ensure all children build firm foundations for the future. The curriculum is ambitious for all children and includes cooking, trips to the library and signing sessions to support all children with communication and language. New children settle quickly. Staff encourage them to use good manners and share resources. Children understand the expectations of behaviour and follow rules and routines easily.

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The provision is good

Staff build positive relationships with children and their families to enable the best start to their learning. This includes tailored support for parents on communication and toilet training. Children's interests are prioritised and activities and resources are selected, based on their preferences. This helps staff to understand what children already know and can do, so they can build on that. Children enjoy warm relationships with key persons and go to them for help and reassurance. Staff are sensitive to children's emotional needs. For example, they enable them to keep their belongings with them until they have settled in.

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The provision is good

Planning is purposeful, with clear intentions linked to children's next steps. Children learn in different contexts about feelings and emotions. Staff ask how they feel in the welcome session and they are encouraged to describe how characters feel in stories.

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need to do better?

n Children develop a love for books in story time and library trips. Staff bring characters to life and children listen attentively. They are asked challenging questions, such as 'How do you think the elephant can get down from the tree?' to stretch their creative thinking and problem-solving skills. n Staff interact with children effectively and children are supported to express their needs. Key persons are selected based on certain children's home languages. They use visuals and signing to support all children to communicate. Adults implement recent communication and language training to effectively narrate children's play and model new vocabulary. Occasionally, staff do not take all opportunities to consider the environment and raised noise levels, which reduces children's concentration at these times. n Children enjoy opportunities indoors and outdoors to develop their physical skills. They love climbing and running in the garden and crawling and jumping

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need to do better?

on the soft play obstacle course. Adults model how to climb over apparatus and encourage children to take age-appropriate risks. Because of this, children are confident to 'have a go' and are motivated to challenge themselves.

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need to do better?

11 September 2025 n They strengthen their fine motor skills through manipulating play dough and scooping and pouring with sand and water so they develop the skills needed for early writing. n Staff build positive relationships with parents and regularly share information about children's next steps for home learning. This consistency means children are supported to make maximum progress in their learning and development. n Children are enthusiastic learners who engage in all aspects of the provision. Staff plan activities based on the interests of children and are clear on the skills and knowledge they want children to learn. However, some learning choices, such as songs teaching letter names are enjoyed by younger children but not fully understood and learning is reduced. n Leaders work with other professionals, so that personalised plans are targeted to meet the next steps of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities

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need to do better?

(SEND). This means they make good progress and can access an ambitious curriculum. The providers uses funding to buy resources to directly support vulnerable children, for example in small music-group sessions. n The setting assists children to develop their independence in daily routines. Children enjoy pouring their own drinks and washing their hands. This gives them a sense of pride and achievement. Younger children who have used the bathroom come out smiling with both hands held up to tell staff, 'Look, all clean.' n Managers have regular supervisions and are motivated towards achieving their next level qualifications. They continue to develop their knowledge of child development through ongoing training. Their well-being is supported and they are happy in their roles, which positively impacts the children in their care.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n consider adapting the environment to help children remain focused to further increase concentration and learning n consider children's ages and abilities when planning activities to help them get the most out of their learning experiences.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 137365 Local authority Bromley Inspection number 10408235 Type of provision Childcare on non-domestic premises

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Full day care

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inspection

Total number of places 34 Number of children on roll 47 Name of registered person Bromley Christian Centre

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reference number

Telephone number 020 8460 1660 Date of previous inspection 29 January 2020

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Information about this early years setting

The Ark Pre-School, Bromley Christian Centre registered in 1981. It is located in central Bromley in the London Borough of Bromley. The nursery is open on Monday to Friday, from 9.15am to 4pm, during term time only. There are eight staff members, including the manager, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. This includes one staff member who holds qualified teacher status, the manager who holds a level 6 qualification in early years, seven members of staff who hold a level 3 qualification in childcare, and one staff member who holds a level 2 qualification in childcare. The provider offers the government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children.

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Inspection activities

n The manager joined the inspector on a learning walk and talked to the inspector about their curriculum and what they want the children to learn. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. n The inspector spoke to several parents during the inspection and took account of their views. n The manager showed the inspector the documentation to demonstrate the suitability of staff.

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Inspection activities

We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

11 September 2025 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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