Oakengates Nursery School

Overview

Oakengates Nursery School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Children thrive in a “warm, welcoming” environment where they are “curious and eager learners” supported by staff with high expectations. The school provides an inclusive setting with a well-thought-out curriculum that prepares children well for the next stage of their education.

Strengths

• Children benefit from a “communication-rich environment” where staff use expert understanding of speech and language to help pupils become “confident communicators”.
• The curriculum is “ambitious” and precisely sets out what children should know, with staff effectively checking progress to identify additional support needs.
• The nursery is highly inclusive, with “expert support” for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, ensuring their successes are celebrated.
• Staff foster positive relationships and personal development, teaching children about honesty, kindness, and diversity through activities like music, yoga, and community visits.
• The governing body is “highly knowledgeable” and plays an active role in the school’s development, providing a good balance of support and challenge.

Areas to improve

• Staff should ensure interactions consistently enhance learning opportunities, as occasionally they do not make the most of opportunities to extend children’s knowledge and vocabulary.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.