New Mills Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 14 January 2025

Staff take the time to understand and nurture children at this friendly and welcoming nursery school. They carefully consider each child's individuality, background and starting point. When necessary, the curriculum is adapted to reflect these needs. Staff have high expectations of what children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), can achieve. Children thrive at this school. They develop secure foundations in readiness for the rest of their schooling. The school places a strong emphasis on the development of children's language. Children learn to communicate their ideas and talk about their learning. Occasionally, during independent activities, the school's ambition for what children will rehearse and know is not realised fully. Children learn how their behaviour can affect others. This helps them to feel safe, self- regulate and manage their feelings. Children learn to be empathetic and trustworthy by taking care of 'Smudge' and 'Velvet', the school's guinea pigs. Staff praise and celebrate the positive attitudes that children demonstrate. Children aspire to be rewarded with 'treasure keepers'. They are proud to share the reasons for their rewards with their parents and carers. Relationships between staff, families and children are warm and positive. Parents are proud of the progress their children make at this school.

What the school should improve

• Occasionally, during independent learning, some children do not benefit from opportunities to extend and deepen their understanding of the early years curriculum. This slows down how well these children learn and secure key knowledge and concepts. The school should ensure that during independent learning, children develop a breadth and depth of knowledge across all areas of the early years curriculum.
• Staff are concerned about their workload. This has an impact on their well-being. Governors should consider realistic and constructive ways of working to ensure that all staff have a manageable workload.

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