Edith Kerrison Nursery School

Overview

Edith Kerrison Nursery School is confirmed as a 'good' school following an ungraded inspection. The report describes a 'welcoming school' where children 'thrive' due to skilled staff support and an 'ambitious curriculum' focused on language development and broadening experiences. Leaders work closely with parents to build confidence and partnership in children’s learning.

Strengths

• Staff are 'skilled in adapting activities and equipment' so that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) can 'participate fully'.
• The curriculum is 'well designed' to help children build knowledge and curiosity, with effective use of resources such as making play dough to develop early measuring skills.
• Leaders prioritise language skills by reading stories with 'rich content and repetitive phrases' daily and helping families use the local public library.
• Staff workload and well-being are taken seriously, with leaders changing recording methods to 'cut down on their workload' and governors listening to staff views.
• Children behave well, 'share space and equipment thoughtfully', and are taught independence, such as chopping their own fruit at snack time.

Areas to improve

• The 'quality of adults’ interactions with children is variable', leading to inconsistency in how well children are supported through talk to develop language.
• Leaders should ensure adults 'use resources to the full' to help children practise and apply their skills and knowledge, as sometimes staff do not show children how to make the most of experiences.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are 'effective', with staff trained to identify and report concerns and leaders working closely with external agencies to follow up on issues.