Steeple Nursery School

Overview

Steeple Nursery School is described as a vibrant, inclusive setting where the vision to empower children to become "happy and confident learners" is achieved fully. The report highlights a "warm, inviting, nurturing and stimulating environment" supported by skilful staff and strong community partnerships.

Strengths

• Staff demonstrate "high-quality interactions" and "skilful role modelling" that positively impact children’s learning, thinking skills, and wellbeing.
• Children are fully involved in the nursery life, with those having special educational needs making "good progress" through effective individual planning and partnerships.
• The curriculum is enriched by extensive outdoor learning, where children develop independence, resilience, and early mathematical language through "investigative play".
• There are "very effective respectful relationships" with parents, who are valued as integral partners and supported through workshops and regular communication.
• The school maintains a strong inclusive ethos, recognised as a "Rights Respecting" nursery and an Eco-School with five "Green Flags".

Areas to improve

• Staff should review and improve the snack routine to "maximise more fully the learning potential" and further develop children’s independence.
• A small number of safeguarding policies, specifically those addressing bullying and intimate care, need review to "reflect more accurately the positive practice" in the nursery.

Safeguarding

The report states that "arrangements for child protection align to the current statutory guidance," though it notes a need to update specific policies to match current practice.