Dear Parents and Carers,
We are writing to let you know the outcome of the Ofsted inspection at Little Hayes Nursery School on 14th and 15th May 2024.
The Ofsted inspectors recognised that there are many areas of good practice. They have reported:
“The school is determined for all children to succeed.”
“The school builds strong connections with children and their families.”
“The development of communication and language is a priority.”
“The daily routine and regular ‘group times’ are used to promote talk. During these times, previously taught knowledge and language are revisited. For example, in mathematics, children recall their knowledge of shape. This helps children to deepen their understanding.”
“…children enjoy having stories read to them. Staff use questioning and modelling to promote engagement and enjoyment.”
They also reported that the areas of ‘personal development’ and ‘behaviour and attitudes’ are graded as good and ‘safeguarding’ is effective.
“Experiences are threaded through the curriculum to promote children’s personal development. The school celebrates different languages and cultures. Books have been carefully selected so that all children can see themselves in the stories they read. Children and their families are supported to keep themselves healthy.”
“Children form warm relationships with staff, particularly their key workers. They seek and receive comfort when they need it. This helps children to settle well and feel secure.”
“During ‘group time’, turn taking and sharing are reinforced. Manners are promoted and modelled by staff.”
The inspectors identified some areas for improvement. These focused on the consistent documentation of more “precise, small steps of knowledge” sequenced across the curriculum and assessment systems. We will continue to address these through our planned programme of staff development.
The inspectors found that the Head Teacher and Governors have an accurate understanding of what needs to be done to improve the school further. The fact that there are some areas for improvement around the curriculum meant that they graded the Quality of Education and Leadership and Management of the Nursery as ‘Requiring Improvement’.
“The role of governors has been strengthened since the previous inspection. While it is still early days, the headteacher and governors have an accurate understanding of what needs to be done to improve the school further.”
This has meant that the overall judgement is ‘Requires Improvement’ which is of course disappointing for everyone involved, but we are glad so many positive attributes of our nursery school were recognised, particularly the ethos of inclusion and the strong relationships forged with children and families. We will continue working to improve the nursery school and ensure that every Little Hayes nursery school child is in receipt of the highest quality early years provision.
If you have any questions about this report or more generally about your child’s nursery education please contact us. We really value your feedback.
The full report is attached below and will be available on Ofsted website and on the school website.
Yours sincerely,
Jet Davis
Head Teacher
Jill Gettrup
Chair of Governors