Ofsted inspectors praise staff as Washington nursery hits the mark
Inspectors praised the nursery’s positive relationships with parents.
Ofsted inspectors visiting Little Treasures Nursery in Concord, Washington, have said the setting is meeting the expected standard in all assessed areas.
No one-word overall judgement is now given to schools and nurseries with, instead, a traffic light report card given ranging from blue (exceptional), dark green (strong standard), light green (expected standard), amber (needs attention) to red which indicates urgent improvement is needed.
Little Treasures was deemed to meeting the expected standard in curriculum and teaching, achievement, behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, inclusion, leadership and governance, and welfare and wellbeing.
Inspectors highlighted how each child's key person “knows their children very well” and that physical and emotional needs are securely met, with “many opportunities for physical and active play”.
Inspectors also praised the nursery’s curriculum and teaching which “develop the skills that help children for their next stage of learning, including transitions between rooms and moving on to school”.
The report also commended the nursery’s development of children’s literacy.
Inspectors said: “The curriculum places a clear emphasis on supporting children's communication and language development, with an awareness that some children may have lower starting points when they enter the setting.
“Staff plan learning across the areas of development, including early mathematics and physical development, and provide opportunities for children to be active, both indoors and outdoors.
“Ongoing assessment is used to identify children's starting points and to help staff plan next steps in learning.”
On the assessment of inclusion, inspectors added: “Staff regularly adapt their teaching, ensuring all children have access to the planned curriculum. Leaders use early years pupil premium funding resourcefully to support identified needs and to ensure that any adaptations are systematically and skilfully adjusted when needed.”
Inspectors Kate Henderson and Jan Harvey also praised staff’s management of children’s behaviour and the establishing of routines.
They said: “Staff speak to children calmly and firmly, highlighting clear behaviour expectations. Children follow the rules. For example, they know to line up at the door before going outside. Care practices, routines and positive relationships all contribute to an organised and happy nursery.
“Staff support individual children to learn to manage their behaviour and are aware of the children who may find this difficult. Leaders have created a regulation room where children can go if they are finding the routines and behaviour expectations overwhelming.”
Inspectors identified that the nursery’s leaders “know their nursery well and talk about the strengths and areas they want to develop”.
They also highlighted the positive relationships with families and regular contact with the children’s homes.
The reported recognised that the nursery’s staff “feel valued”, and their workload is manageable.