Stoneygate Nursery School

Overview

Stoneygate Nursery School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection. Children are described as happy, benefiting from caring relationships and well-equipped environments where they learn with confidence. The school successfully prepares children for primary school, with high expectations for all, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

Strengths

• Children achieve well from differing starting points and move on to primary schools ready for the next stage of learning.
• Staff promote positive behaviour effectively, helping children, including two-year-olds, to play cooperatively and manage their emotions.
• The school places a sharp focus on developing early communication and language skills through carefully chosen books, songs, and regular checks.
• Staff identify the needs of children with SEND early and work closely with parents and professionals to ensure effective support is in place.
• The school supports wider development well, offering diverse experiences such as library visits and yoga to prepare children for life in modern Britain.

Areas to improve

• The school should clarify the foundational knowledge children should learn in each area of the curriculum, as it is still determining essential knowledge in a small number of areas.
• Governors should improve their knowledge and skills to support and challenge the school effectively, as some do not yet have an accurate view of the school’s strengths and priorities.

Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.