Somerset Nursery School and Children's Centre

Overview

Somerset Nursery School and Children's Centre continues to be an outstanding school, where children "flourish" and arrive "happily each day." The report highlights a "highly ambitious curriculum" and "warm and positive working relationships" that support children’s independence, confidence, and exceptional progress, particularly for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Strengths

• Leaders maintain a "clear vision" for the curriculum, using high-quality texts and mapped vocabulary to ensure children "learn new and relevant language" and that knowledge "sticks in their memories."
• Staff are "expert, enthusiastic storytellers" who model spoken language precisely, helping all children, including those with SEND, to access activities fully and make "exceptional progress."
• The learning environment is "superbly organised," promoting independence as children can find resources to "investigate, explore and play" without relying on adult support.
• Adults have "high expectations" of all children and build "positive partnership[s] with parents," who spoke highly of the care and support their children receive.
• Staff training is "highly effective," enabling them to adapt activities quickly and remove barriers to learning, while also prioritising staff well-being and workload.

Areas to improve

• The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders prioritising children’s well-being, maintaining effective records, and ensuring all staff have relevant training to identify risks.