# St John's Church Playgroup

St John's Church Playgroup is a sessional pre-school at St. Johns Church, Danson Lane, Welling, DA16 2BQ, in Welling, Bexley. It is registered for 32 children and takes children aged 2 years to 4 years. It opens 09:00–15:00, Mon; 09:00–12:00, Tue–Fri, term time only. Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection in February 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025. It offers funded places for 2-year-olds and the 15 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds. It has a Google rating of 5.0 from 2 reviews (November 2026).

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/st-johns-church-playgroup-115370  
Last checked 11 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Sessional pre-school
- Address: St. Johns Church, Danson Lane, Welling, DA16 2BQ
- Ages: 2 years to 4 years
- Opening hours: 09:00–15:00, Mon; 09:00–12:00, Tue–Fri
- Weeks open: term time only
- Registered places: 32
- Funded childcare: funded places for 2-year-olds and the 15 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds
- Phone: 07719 341984
- Website: https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/
- Ofsted URN: 115370

## Ofsted and official records

Ofsted rated it Good at its inspection on 28 February 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

- Quality of education: Good
- Behaviour and attitudes: Good
- Personal development: Good
- Leadership and management: Good

Safeguarding effective.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/115370

Exact words from the Ofsted report of 28 February 2023:

- Does well: "The staff team are dedicated to their roles."
- Does well: "The manager and staff are ambitious for all children."
- Does well: "Parents are extremely complimentary of the playgroup."
- Should do better: "focus more on children who take longer to settle and participate in adult-led group times to further enhance their engagement and concentration"
- Should do better: "use opportunities as they arise to help younger children learn about shapes to extend their vocabulary and learning."

Full report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/115370

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since October 1992 (Reference 115370). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/115370)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 28 February 2023). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/115370)
- Registered places: 32 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/115370)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 17 September 2025). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/943280)

## Fees

| Age | Half day |
|---|---|
| All ages | £20 |

Price per hour is the day rate over a 6-hour day, from the nursery's opening hours.

Source: nursery website (https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/information), 11 November 2026.

Funded hours: 2-year-olds, 15 hours.

## Hours and ages

- Monday: 09:00–15:00
- Tuesday to Friday: 09:00–12:00
- Ages: 2 years to 4 years
- Weeks open: term time only
- Sessions: half day

## Getting there

Address: St. Johns Church, Danson Lane, Welling, DA16 2BQ

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.459232,0.112815

- Station: Welling, 0.6 miles
- Station: Bexleyheath, 1.0 miles
- 3 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Danson Park, under 0.1 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.1 miles
- Playground: Playground, 0.3 miles

© OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026 · Powered by TfL Open Data, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Bexley there are about 3.3 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings

- Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews (as of 11 November 2026)

## About: a day here

### Learning

Its website says the playgroup uses a play-based EYFS curriculum, a faith-based ethos, a school readiness programme and early phonics. It also names SEND support, speech and language support, an inclusive setting and children's yoga. At its 2023 Ofsted inspection, the overall effectiveness and quality of education were both graded Good.

- Play-based EYFS curriculum (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/curriculum)
- Faith-based ethos (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/about-us)
- School readiness programme (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/curriculum)
- Early phonics (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/curriculum)

### Food

Its website says healthy snacks are provided.

- Healthy snacks provided (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/curriculum)

### Outdoors

Its website says the playgroup has its own garden.

- Own garden (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/curriculum)

### Settling in

Its website says the playgroup uses a key person system.

- Key person system (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/about-us)
- Flexible sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/information)
- Term-time only (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/information)
- Half-day sessions (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/information)
- Toilet training support (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/_files/ugd/b9476e_a6f5105e864b47bdb4fb4f493ae5eb30.pdf)
- Small group sizes (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/about-us)

### SEND and inclusion

- SEND support (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/about-us)
- Speech and language support (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/curriculum)
- Inclusive setting (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/_files/ugd/b9476e_a6f5105e864b47bdb4fb4f493ae5eb30.pdf)

### Safety

At its 2023 Ofsted inspection, safeguarding was judged effective.

- Online learning journal (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/about-us)

### Extras and activities

- Children's yoga (source: nursery website, https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/_files/ugd/b9476e_a6f5105e864b47bdb4fb4f493ae5eb30.pdf)

### Getting a place

Its website says to get in touch to express interest or send an application form, after which the playgroup contacts you to arrange a visit. The playgroup has a waiting list. It accepts funded hours for 2-year-olds and the universal 15 funded hours for 3-4 year olds.

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danson Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Improved significantly (May 2025) |  | 0.3 miles |
| Foster's Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (Improving) (February 2024) | yes | 0.5 miles |
| Hook Lane Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (May 2023) | yes | 0.5 miles |
| Aspire Academy |  | 5–11 | Good (March 2023) |  | 0.5 miles |
| St Stephen's Catholic Primary School | Primary | 5–11 | Report card (April 2026) |  | 0.5 miles |
| Crook Log Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (April 2024) | yes | 0.6 miles |
| Barrington Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Standards maintained (July 2025) |  | 0.6 miles |
| St Michael's East Wickham Church of England Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Good (November 2022) | yes | 0.8 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Bexley Day Nursery Limited](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/bexley-day-nursery-limited-2753023) |  |  |  | 0.2 miles |
| [Little Wings Big Dreams Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/little-wings-big-dreams-nursery-2602601) | Good |  | 07:30–18:00 | 0.4 miles |
| [Super Kiddies Day Care.](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/super-kiddies-day-care-ey550434) | Good |  | 08:45–14:45 | 0.4 miles |
| [Wonder Zone Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/wonder-zone-nursery-2756878) | Good |  | 07:30–18:30 | 0.4 miles |
| [Monkey Puzzle Welling](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/monkey-puzzle-welling-ey563352) | Good |  | 07:30–18:30 | 0.5 miles |
| [First Step Daycare & Nursery Ltd](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/first-step-daycare-and-nursery-ltd-2766452) | Report card Mar 2026 |  |  | 0.6 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does St John's Church Playgroup cost?

St John's Church Playgroup publishes these fees: half day £20 for all ages (nursery website, November 2026). Funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare can reduce what you pay.

### Does St John's Church Playgroup offer 15 funded hours?

Yes. St John's Church Playgroup offers the 15 funded hours for 3 and 4-year-olds.

### Does St John's Church Playgroup take funded 2-year-olds?

Yes. St John's Church Playgroup offers funded places for eligible 2-year-olds.

### What are St John's Church Playgroup's opening hours?

St John's Church Playgroup opens 09:00–15:00, Mon; 09:00–12:00, Tue–Fri.

### Is St John's Church Playgroup open all year?

No. St John's Church Playgroup is open term time only.

### What ages does St John's Church Playgroup take?

St John's Church Playgroup takes children aged 2 years to 4 years.

### What is St John's Church Playgroup's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated St John's Church Playgroup Good at its inspection on 28 February 2023, before report cards replaced single grades in November 2025.

### How many children can St John's Church Playgroup take?

St John's Church Playgroup is registered with Ofsted for up to 32 children at any one time.

### What approach does St John's Church Playgroup follow?

St John's Church Playgroup's website describes its approach as: Play-based EYFS curriculum, Faith-based ethos, School readiness programme and Early phonics.

### Does St John's Church Playgroup have outdoor space?

St John's Church Playgroup lists: Own garden.

### Does St John's Church Playgroup support children with SEND?

St John's Church Playgroup lists: SEND support, Speech and language support and Inclusive setting.

### What is the nearest station to St John's Church Playgroup?

Welling is the nearest station we know of, 0.6 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact St John's Church Playgroup?

You can call 07719 341984 and visit www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/115370)
- Fees, hours and features: the nursery's website (www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com), as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.stjohnschurchplaygroup.com/)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 11 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=St+John%27s+Church+Playgroup&query_place_id=ChIJd4jrjcOu2EcRTs-UONzexbg)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.