Chesterfield nursery where children are ‘supported to be proud of who they are’ passes Ofsted inspection with flying colours

Ofsted inspectors praised Heywood House Children's Nursery in Brimington for achieving ‘strong’ standard across all areas.

In the inspection report Ofsted highlighted that the nursery, located at High Street, ‘created a well-managed, calm and safe environment’ where children ‘develop positive and trusting relationships with staff who they interact with and respond well to’.

Inspectors praised Heywood House staff for respecting children's ‘personalities and needs’ making the young learners’ feel ‘valued and supported to be proud of who they are’.

Danielle Mason-Holmes, Manager at Heywood House Children's Nursery said: “We are so incredibly proud of the Staff, Management Team and Directors who have made this happen.

"The dedication and commitment to their roles shows every day and this report shows just how much hard work goes into every single day of nursery life.”

In the report, Ofsted added that all children were ‘supported skilfully by experienced staff members’, and their progress was ‘very positive’.

Inspectors further praised a curriculum that had ‘clear learning intentions’ for each of the nursery rooms, helping children learn ‘how to be sociable, independent and confident communicators.’

Staff were complimented for their ‘clear’ understanding of children's learning styles and preferences as well as their ability to adapt teaching to children's needs.

Ofsted further recognised ‘perceptive’ leaders and staff who ‘notice children's individual needs’ and pay ‘careful attention’ to observing and monitoring children's development.

Inspectors highlighted that staff were ‘actively working to reduce barriers to children's learning and attendance ‘ – even setting up a ‘swap shop for parents to share outgrown clothes to reduce the expense of raising growing children’.

This has been ‘working well’ – enabling regular attendance as all children can have access to suitable clothing and supplies of nappies, Ofsted said.

Inspectors complimented leaders and managers for ‘positive and productive relationships with parents, carers and other settings’ to provide children with comprehensive support at times of big transitions, such as the move to school.

Parents have further praised the nursery, saying ‘highly effective’ personalised learning plans have a ‘significant positive impact’ on their children's progress.

According to the newly introduced Ofsted framework, overall inspection grades are no longer given and inspectors instead award the schools with ratings across main inspection areas with updated ratings include: Exceptional (the new highest grade), Strong standard, Expected standard, Needs attention and Urgent improvement (the new lowest grade).