McMillan Nursery School

Overview

McMillan Nursery School has been “turned around rapidly” following a period of upheaval, with the current leadership team having a “tremendous impact” on swift and effective improvement. The report describes a supportive environment where children feel safe, settle quickly, and are “well prepared for their next steps in education.” Leaders maintain high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), fostering a culture where staff are passionate and relationships with parents are strong.

Strengths

• Children benefit from “nurturing relationships” with staff who have their “best interests and welfare at heart,” creating a safe and welcoming atmosphere.
• The curriculum is “well designed” with “key knowledge” clearly set out, ensuring children achieve well and develop confidence in challenging activities.
• Provision for children with SEND is a “growing strength,” with staff effectively identifying needs and implementing strategies so these children “succeed alongside their peers.”
• Strong emphasis on communication and language, with adults encouraging children to use “words and sentences that are appropriate to their age and stage of development.”
• Staff are “effective advocates for children” and confident in reporting safeguarding concerns, ensuring timely support from external agencies when needed.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should continue to deliver training so that all adults have the “knowledge and confidence to deliver all areas of learning equally well,” as some staff are less confident in specific areas, affecting learning outcomes.

Safeguarding

The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective,” with staff being well trained, vigilant for risks, and confident in reporting concerns.