Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School

Overview

The report confirms that Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School “continues to be an outstanding school.” It is described as a “magical place for young children to play and learn in,” where the motto to “nurture curiosity and inspire imagination” is central to practice. Leaders and staff are “highly ambitious for all children,” ensuring they are “exceptionally well prepared for their move into the Reception Year.”

Strengths

• The curriculum is carefully planned with knowledge broken into “small learning steps,” helping children, including those with SEND, to “achieve exceptionally well.”
• Staff deliver “high-quality conversations” and use specific vocabulary to rapidly expand children’s language skills.
• A “strong reading culture” exists, with staff making story time an “enjoyable experience” that children happily join in with.
• Provision for two-year-olds and the specially resourced provision is “especially strong,” with staff highly skilled in developing personal, social, and physical skills.
• Staff training is a “high priority,” and leaders are “highly considerate of their well-being and workload.”

Areas to improve

The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are “effective,” with staff receiving regular training and acting “quickly when they have any concerns.”