Ballyclare Nursery School

Overview

Ballyclare Nursery School demonstrates a “high level of capacity for sustained improvement” with “Outstanding” performance in achievements, provision for learning, and leadership. The inspection found that children are progressing very well, enjoying their learning, and making excellent progress in social skills and communication within a “safe, caring and nurturing” environment.

Strengths

• Children are “very well advanced” in many aspects of learning, showing confidence in independent play and “well developed language and communication skills”.
• Staff provide “high quality” interactions, fostering independence and modelling a wide range of language to support communication and thinking skills.
• The “attractive, stimulating, language rich environment” supports children’s autonomy through an open-plan approach with free access to play areas.
• Leadership is described as “excellent”, with a shared vision, effective self-evaluation, and strong links with feeder primary schools to support transitions.
• Children with additional learning needs are “well integrated” and supported effectively through consistent strategies and visual aids.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The nursery school has “comprehensive arrangements in place for safeguarding children which reflect the guidance issued by the relevant Departments.”