Rockwood Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 July 2025

Children are happy and settled at this vibrant nursery school. Staff care deeply for children and get to know them well. They help children to understand emotions so that they can learn how to manage their own feelings. This helps children to feel safe. The school has high expectations for children's achievement. This includes for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Children typically learn well and enjoy a range of stimulating learning activities. For instance, they relish plentiful opportunities to develop their large-muscle skills in the outdoor areas. Children take their creations home to share with their families, such as drawings and mini pizzas. Children demonstrate positive behaviour. From the age of two, children begin learning to play happily alongside others. Children praise and encourage their friends. They develop their confidence when meeting new people. The school provides children with rich experiences that help to broaden their understanding of the world and explore new interests. For example, children benefit from small-group activities in the school's woodland area. They learn how to be calm and mindful during well-being sessions. Children visit nearby places, including a park and a farm.

What the school should improve

• At times, the school has not made sure that staff implement and adapt learning activities consistently well to support children's understanding. This means that some children do not learn as well as they could. The school should support staff in implementing the curriculum consistently well.
• Occasionally, staff's interactions with children are not fully effective. This hinders how well some children build their knowledge and understanding of new vocabulary. The school should ensure that staff are equipped to better support children's knowledge and skills across the curriculum.

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