Oliver Thomas Nursery School

Overview

The report describes a nursery where children arrive with smiles and eagerly engage in learning, supported by staff who know them "exceptionally well." Leaders have designed a "highly ambitious" curriculum that ensures every child meets their full potential, with particular praise for the support provided to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). The inspection concludes that the school is effective across all areas, including leadership, behaviour, and personal development.

Strengths

• Staff maintain "extremely high expectations" and break down behavioural goals so every child can understand them, fostering respect and resilience.
• The curriculum offers "rich opportunities" such as woodwork, growing plants, and interacting with farm animals, building on an agreed framework of ‘20 things’.
• Children with SEND achieve "the best possible outcomes" due to careful planning and staff who know the children well.
• Reading is central to the work, with "carefully chosen" books and enthusiastic staff helping children become "fully immersed in the stories".
• Staff develop children’s language skills "expertly" through modelling and questioning, while parents are "valued and fully included" in their child’s education.

Areas to improve

The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

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