Ashmore Park Nursery School

Overview

Ashmore Park Nursery School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection, which judged it outstanding for overall effectiveness. The report describes a welcoming environment where children are happy, well cared for, and keen to explore both indoor and outdoor areas. Leaders, staff, and governors are committed to improving children’s experiences, fostering a positive culture that supports both pupil development and staff well-being.

Strengths

• Children are "happy and well cared for" in a welcoming school where they arrive with a smile and are "well mannered and supportive of one another."
• The curriculum engages children through practical first-hand activities, such as growing vegetables and visiting outdoor adventure centres, helping them build "secure foundations for future learning."
• Staff foster a love of reading and successfully develop children’s vocabulary by ensuring they "hear and use relevant words" across the curriculum.
• Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported effectively, with the school quickly identifying needs and working closely with parents and external professionals.
• Parents are "overwhelmingly supportive," noting that staff have the "welfare and education of the children at their heart."

Areas to improve

• In some areas, the curriculum does not identify precisely what children are expected to know and remember, meaning some activities are not sharply focused on essential knowledge.
• Staff use of questioning is inconsistent, sometimes missing gaps in children’s understanding and failing to move learning forward as quickly as it could.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.