Columbia Market Nursery School

Overview

Columbia Market Nursery School has “taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.” The report describes a setting where children “thrive in a nurturing and calm environment,” supported by staff who know them well and foster a “strong sense of community.” Leaders are described as “passionate and knowledgeable,” driving a clear vision for high-quality early education.

Strengths

• Children settle quickly and feel “safe and confident,” engaging eagerly with a “wide range of activities.”
• The curriculum is “ambitious and designed to meet the needs of all children,” including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Staff use “high-quality books, engaging activities and meaningful experiences” to promote a love of learning.
• Children demonstrate “positive attitudes to learning,” sustaining focus and behaving well in a “calm and respectful ethos.”
• The school provides “rich experiences,” such as gardening projects and community visits, which build confidence and cultural awareness.

Areas to improve

• In some areas of learning, the school has not consistently set out the steps children need to take to achieve curriculum end goals, meaning teaching does not always support progressive development of language, knowledge, and skills.
• Opportunities to introduce ambitious vocabulary or extend children’s thinking in everyday activities are not always appropriately identified.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with robust procedures in place to address concerns promptly.