Guildford Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 28 April 2026

Children are very happy to come to this welcoming and nurturing school. They are keen to get started when they arrive and are warmly welcomed by caring staff. Children are greeted by a wide range of engaging activities and experiences. For instance, they have regular opportunities to make clay models, climb on the play equipment, search for minibeasts and join in with songs and rhymes. Activities such as these are used well to support children’s learning and development across all areas of learning. There is something of interest for everyone. As a result, children are soon settled into the gentle rhythms and routines of the school day. They enjoy learning and attend very well. Parents and carers are overwhelmingly positive about the school. Staff get to know children and their families well. They keep a careful eye on children’s wellbeing and provide effective support for any who may be feeling anxious. As a result, children feel safe and valued. They behave extremely well. Staff resolve occasional differences between children quickly and with kindness and sensitivity. Children achieve well from their different starting points, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and others who have barriers to learning. Children make rapid progress across all areas of learning and are very well prepared for Reception Year by the time they leave. The school prepares children well for life in modern Britain. For instance, they learn how to play and learn alongside others and grow rapidly in confidence and self-esteem. Children learn about the local community and the wider world through a series of carefully selected trips and experiences.

What the school should improve

• Leaders and those responsible for governance should continue to ensure that the school’s high-quality professional learning programme drives improvements in teaching.
• Leaders should continue their work to ensure that staff know precisely what they intend children to learn through each activity, so that opportunities to promote key knowledge and vocabulary are maximised.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)