Ilminster Avenue Nursery School

Overview

Ilminster Avenue Nursery School is described as a "friendly and inclusive place" where staff have "taken effective action to maintain the standards" from the previous inspection. The report confirms that children receive a "warm welcome" and benefit from an "ambitious curriculum" that supports their development. Leaders have brought "increasing stability" to the school, fostering a "calm and purposeful environment" where children show "high levels of curiosity."

Strengths

• Staff "know and meet children’s individual needs well," including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Communication and language act as a "‘golden thread’" through the curriculum, helping children build vocabulary and understanding.
• Children develop strong personal skills, learning to be "kind and considerate" and taking pride in their "‘special jobs’."
• Governors provide "effective support and challenge," while staff value the "team spirit" and consideration given to their workload.
• Parents hold "positive views" about the care shown to children and the support offered to families.

Areas to improve

• Ensure all staff have the expertise to engage in "high-quality interactions" to fully develop children’s speech and language skills.
• Improve the effectiveness of checks on what children have learned to identify and address "gaps in knowledge" across all curriculum areas.

Safeguarding

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