Oldpark Nursery School

Overview

Oldpark Nursery School is described as a highly valued community asset where staff and governors work collaboratively to ensure every child can “be the best they can be.” The report highlights a “welcoming and supportive atmosphere” and praises the school’s significant improvements to outdoor learning, though it notes that monitoring processes and staff interactions require further development.

Strengths

• Staff provide “high levels of pastoral support” for families, which is “invaluable to the community.”
• The “ongoing development of the outdoor learning area” is having a “positive impact on the play experiences of the children.”
• The process for identifying children with special educational needs is “robust,” with “high levels of support” provided.
• Governors are “highly committed” and use their skills effectively to support staff in achieving the school’s vision.
• Parents report that their children have settled well and display “growing confidence.”

Areas to improve

• Develop a “more robust cycle of observing, planning and assessing” so that progression in learning is evident for all children.
• Ensure “consistent, high-quality staff interactions” to enhance learning, as variability was noted and some opportunities were missed.

Safeguarding

Although initial arrangements did not align with statutory guidance, a December 2024 addendum confirms that policies have been reviewed and updated, and the arrangements “now align to the current statutory guidance.”