Hetton Lyons Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 23 May 2023

School leaders have created a family-friendly atmosphere. Relationships between staff, parents and carers, and children are highly positive. Parents value the work of staff and the experiences that they create for the children. One parent commented, 'I have always been confident my children have been cared for in a nurturing environment and given the best possible start to education.' Leaders establish clear and consistent behaviour expectations. Children of all ages show exemplary behaviours. They follow the routines that they have been taught. Children independently choose their own snacks. They look after equipment and tidy up after themselves. Children are considerate of others. They play well both alongside and with their peers. Staff are skilful in dealing with upsets and mishaps. With support from adults, children learn to deal with any differences of opinion. Children enjoy spending time in the exciting outdoor area. Here they sing along to the karaoke machine and venture into the 'forest school'. They work together to make their own trim trails from wooden planks, spools and crates. Children have regular opportunities to develop skills and to explore new things. The activities that adults set up for children have a learning purpose.

What the school should improve

• The curriculum intent is clear. However, underlying curriculum guidance which supports this is not sufficiently well developed in some areas, such as mathematics. As a result, some staff have difficulty in articulating what is in the curriculum and in making sure that this hierarchical subject is well sequenced. Leaders should ensure that the curriculum is well defined for all areas of the provision and that staff have training in the sequencing and delivery of early mathematics.

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