Freshfield Nursery School

Overview

Freshfield Nursery School continues to be a good school, where children arrive happy and thrive in a supportive environment. The report highlights a broad and rich curriculum that effectively prepares children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, for the next stage of their education.

Strengths

• Children are described as "polite, respectful and well mannered," confidently voicing their needs and engaging positively with staff and peers.
• The curriculum is "broad and rich," with staff effectively checking knowledge to shape future learning and providing meaningful activities for all children.
• Outdoor learning offers varied experiences, such as exploring the natural world and using tools, which help develop "resilience, perseverance and teamwork skills."
• The school has established an "effective phonics curriculum," helping children distinguish sounds and recognise syllables to prepare for Reception.
• Staff forge positive relationships with parents and identify children with additional needs early, ensuring they can follow the same curriculum as their classmates.

Areas to improve

• The school must clearly define the "small steps of learning" in some curriculum areas, particularly for two-year-olds, to ensure all children learn what they should.
• Staff need to provide more opportunities for "high-quality back-and-forth interactions" so children can talk about their learning and achieve better outcomes.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."