Thomas Wall Nursery School

Overview

Children are described as "happy and settled," confidently exploring learning activities while feeling "secure, valued and supported." The nursery delivers a "broad, ambitious curriculum" with staff showing "high expectations" for achievement, particularly within the specially resourced provision for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Strengths

• Staff possess "secure knowledge" of teaching and use storytelling linked to the curriculum to enhance children’s experiences.
• The school prioritises personal development, promoting knowledge of different cultures and backgrounds through festivals and visits.
• Parents value the "clear and regular communication" that enables them to work in partnership with the nursery.
• Staff in the ‘Dragonflies’ provision use "highly effective approaches" to support children with specific needs.
• The governing body focuses on improvement priorities while supporting staff workload and well-being.

Areas to improve

• The school must ensure children have opportunities to "practise and use the key language" identified, as they currently do not routinely encourage children to use ambitious vocabulary in their own talk.
• Guidance for supporting children with special educational needs in the mainstream nursery must be more specific, as some children currently have fewer opportunities to learn as intended.

Safeguarding

The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."