Grace Owen Nursery School

Overview

Children “love attending” Grace Owen Nursery School, where they receive a “big cheery welcome” and form “positive relationships” with staff quickly. Leaders maintain “high expectations” for all children, including those with special educational needs, resulting in a curriculum that effectively prepares pupils for primary school. The inspection confirms that the quality of education, behaviour, and personal development are all rated as “Good”.

Strengths

• Staff establish “clear and regular routines” that help children settle quickly and become independent.
• Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is described as “exemplary”, with staff receiving extensive training to deliver effective strategies.
• Leaders carefully plan activities to extend children’s vocabulary and mathematical concepts, such as using interests in dinosaurs to boost language skills.
• Children develop strong social skills, learning to “make friends and manage any disagreements” through role play and shared resources.
• Governors are “knowledgeable about the educational priorities” and ask pertinent questions regarding the quality of education.

Areas to improve

• Leaders must ensure staff give children sufficient “processing time” to use newly introduced vocabulary, as some adults do not allow enough time for this.
• Leaders need to implement effective systems for the accurate recording and analysis of behaviour incidents, attendance, and safeguarding actions to identify patterns.
• Governors must improve their challenge to leaders regarding behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding, ensuring they have the training to scrutinise information effectively.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective”, with leaders making appropriate checks and providing regular training, although the report notes that records of actions and concerns are currently “weak” and lack sufficient detail.