Brearley Nursery School

Overview

Brearley Nursery School is described as a setting that "puts children and families at its heart," with leaders who are "deeply connected" to the community. The report highlights a "calm" environment where children feel safe and supported, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. While most aspects of the school’s work are rated at a "Strong standard," some areas meet the "Expected standard."

Strengths

• Leaders have established an "open culture" for safeguarding where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
• Inclusion "shapes everything this nursery does," with SEND children benefiting from "visual timetables," "picture cues," and a "calm base" in quieter rooms.
• Attendance and behaviour are managed with "care and persistence," resulting in a "calm" atmosphere where children "follow routines they have learned."
• Personal development is central, with children learning to "recognise and name their feelings" and experiencing a curriculum that celebrates their "identities" and "cultures."
• Leaders use funding "intelligently" to support disadvantaged children, including subsidising meals and funding visits from an artist and music teacher.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should develop staff use of "open questioning" so children can "sustain conversations with each other."
• Staff should better identify when children are ready to be "stretched and challenged" to ensure they reach their "full potential."

Safeguarding

The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," noting that leaders have established an "open culture" in which safeguarding is "everyone's responsibility" and pupils are "made safer and feel safe."