Maples Nursery School and Children's Centre

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 24 February 2026

Children at Maples Nursery thrive in a warm, nurturing and highly supportive environment. They are genuinely valued as individuals. From the moment they arrive, staff greet them with warmth and care. This helps every child to feel welcome and secure. This secure sense of belonging is echoed by parents and carers, who frequently describe the nursery as ‘like home.’ Children quickly develop trusting relationships with staff and each other. This enables them to settle confidently and engage positively in nursery life. Children enjoy learning because staff know them well and tailor experiences to build on what they can already do. Clear systems help children develop their understanding of expectations. For example, they learn to independently organise their belongings. This boosts children’s confidence and readiness to learn. Staff remove any barriers children may face swiftly and effectively. This ensures that disadvantaged children, those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face challenges in their wellbeing make secure progress from their starting points. The nursery’s highly inclusive culture ensures that every child is fully involved in daily life. Children play and learn alongside one another with kindness. They develop positive friendships and secure social skills. They benefit from a rich range of wider experiences that extend their learning beyond the curriculum. Trips to the fire station, as well as visits from a dental nurse and the police, help children learn about people who help them from different professions. Children know the established routines and as a result, behave well. They feel safe and know that staff help them resolve worries quickly, including any rare issues of unkind behaviour. Children enjoy coming to nursery and parents value the relationships they have with staff. Children benefit from play and community experiences, such as a 'garden day'. This helps children learn how to be considerate and active members of their school and local community. As a result of the school's provision, they are well prepared for their next steps, including the transition into school.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that approaches to extend children’s vocabulary and understanding are consistently embedded.

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