Alfreton Nursery School

Overview

Alfreton Nursery School continues to be an outstanding school, described as a ‘special place for children to learn and develop’. The report highlights that children thrive because their needs are met exceptionally well through ‘warm and trusting relationships’ and highly skilled staff. The school’s ambition to make every child’s learning journey an ‘inspirational adventure’ is lived out daily, with no limits placed on what children can achieve.

Strengths

• The curriculum is ‘rich, broad and ambitious’, carefully linking key concepts to children’s developmental stages through ‘acorn, sapling and oak’ phases.
• Staff use ‘research-led techniques’ and ‘precise teaching’ to support learning, including targeted support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those learning English.
• There is a strong focus on communication, with children encouraged to ‘explain, justify and describe’ their understanding, and a clear love of reading instilled through carefully chosen stories.
• Outdoor spaces are used ‘exceptionally well’ to support physical development, with children growing produce and using tools to build strength.
• Governors provide ‘support and challenge’, and staff feel valued, taking pride in their professional development opportunities.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.