North Islington Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 12 January 2023

It is clear for all to see how much children love coming to this school. They arrive with smiles on their faces and an eagerness to get inside to see what is in store for them. Children build strong and positive relationships with staff. They get to know everyone well. New children settle in brilliantly. They soon become familiar with the routines. Children are safe and very well cared for. They behave well. Even though bullying is extremely rare, staff sort out any minor disputes well. Children are supported to make good friends. Leaders are ambitious for all children to achieve highly. Everything that happens in the school is designed to support children's learning and development. Children are empowered to make choices about what they do and when. They enjoy spending time in the extremely well-equipped outdoor area. Here, they have great fun riding the bikes and making potions in the mud kitchen. The large climbing equipment, tunnels and planting areas are particularly popular. Children learn about the world around them, including by celebrating different festivals and going on visits to the local area. They especially enjoyed going to the shops to buy the ingredients for cooking. All staff help children to become confident and independent. When the time comes, children are well prepared for the move to primary school.

What the school should improve

• Sometimes, staff do not make the most of opportunities to extend children's learning. Occasionally, their interactions do not promote children's language and communication development well enough. These inconsistencies hinder children's learning. Leaders should ensure that all staff know when and how to maximise children's learning, particularly to support their communication and language development.

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