Rothesay Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 7 July 2026

Children enjoy attending this welcoming nursery. They arrive happily each morning. Staff speak kindly to children and value their individual characters. This helps children to feel valued and develop a sense of belonging. Children are settled, confident and eager to learn. Staff greet children and their families warmly on arrival, helping them to feel safe and secure. Children engage quickly in a variety of age-appropriate activities. Familiar routines support children's independence, emotional wellbeing and understanding of what will happen next. Typically, children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who face barriers to their learning, are supported well overall. Staff identify children who face barriers to learning at an early stage. They work closely with families and other professionals to provide targeted support. As a result, children make progress from their starting points. Children are well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Children enjoy their learning. They are curious and inquisitive learners, who explore the world around them with interest. For instance, they enthusiastically investigate ice and experiment with colour mixing. Children are confident communicators. They enjoy listening to stories and learning new words. They chat happily with staff, share their ideas and join in conversations during play and daily routines. Generally, children behave well and demonstrate positive attitudes to learning. They play kindly and cooperatively with others. Minor disagreements are managed appropriately. Children respond well to gentle guidance from staff. Staff quickly address any rare incidents of unkindness or bullying. Children learn about different emotions and how to manage their own feelings. Children benefit from a range of activities that develop their interests and talents. They take part in activities with visitors to the nursery that help them to understand the world around them. For example, a visit from the local police helps children to understand the purpose of sirens and why they are important to where they live.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to refine and sequence the curriculum so that it clearly identifies the essential knowledge children need to learn at each stage, providing staff with greater clarity about what to teach, when to teach it and how learning builds progressively over time to secure strong progression for all pupils.
• Leaders need to assure themselves that the curriculum is being implemented as intended and that pupils are making progress in their knowledge and understanding across the curriculum
• Governors need to support and challenge leaders effectively to drive school improvement and assure themselves of the quality and impact of the school’s work.

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