Our Lady's Nursery School

Overview

The report describes a “Child centred, family focused” nursery school where staff are “highly skilled” and dedicated to the holistic development of every child. Inspectors found that the inclusive vision is achieved successfully, with children making “very good progress” in a “happy and inclusive environment.” The school is praised for its strong community links and effective self-evaluation processes.

Strengths

• Staff interactions are “consistently skilful,” using open questioning to extend learning and modelling positive language.
• The outdoor learning environment is “landscaped creatively” and well-resourced, promoting imagination and motor skills through play.
• There is a “highly effective community of learning” with strong partnerships involving parents, external agencies, and local primary schools.
• Children demonstrate high levels of confidence, independence, and respect, engaging in “sustained, independent and collaborative play.”
• The process of self-evaluation is “well-embedded” and informed by extensive consultation with all stakeholders, including children.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies the need to “develop further the process of observations to monitor more effectively the progress of each child across all areas of the pre-school curriculum.”

Safeguarding

The report states that arrangements for child protection “align to the current statutory guidance,” though the ETI will monitor progress regarding an “administrative element” of these arrangements.